Judy E. Buss

There is something magical about home-cooked Comfort Food. Emotionally, it elicits the equivalent of “human purring”. Such fare need not be short on nutrition, however; it can provide a boost to your health as well if you choose healthy ingredients and cooking methods. Home cooked soups or stews, for example, made with fresh ingredients, and served over brown rice (or another whole grain), potatoes, sweet potatoes, or whole grain pasta are quick and easy to make. They are a cut above commercial, chemical-laden, processed, packaged or canned stews.

You can also improve less-than-wholesome recipes by substituting more healthful ingredients for the “bad guys.” Someone once said: “Health is like money. We never have a true appreciation of its value until we lose it”. Well, we CAN elect to take care of our health! The following is easy-to-make, healthy comfort food recipe:

SPANISH-STYLE TURKEY MEAT LOAF

With just 15 minutes prep time (plus oven “incubation” time), you got yourself the ultimate in a home-sweet-home cooked dish!

1 egg
3/4 pound ground turkey breast
3/4 cup old fashioned rolled oats
3/4 cup water
1 tablespoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 cup olive oil
1 (8 oz) can tomato sauce
1 small onion, minced
2 cloves garlic, minced
8 pimento-stuffed olives, chopped

In a bowl beat the egg with a fork. Add half of the tomato sauce and all the other ingredients. Mix well. Transfer the mixture into an ungreased loaf pan and pour the rest of the tomato sauce evenly over the loaf. Cover with foil and bake at 350 degrees for 90 minutes. Let the loaf rest for 15 minutes before slicing.

“Mission Nutrition” Tips and Recipes from Judy E. Buss, Syndicated Eating-for-Health Columnist

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