Chipotle Meatloaf

Happy Memorials Day to you! There is nothing more homelike, more patriotic, more red-stripes and blue-stars to me than a good ol' meatloaf. Its name alone exudes thoughts about American tradition, home, and family.

And this recipe will really "spice" up your meatloaf world. The single one chipotle pepper added gives enough heat to light the world on fire. It's spicy, it's incredibly savory and packed full with a perfect symphony of flavors. I love the topping on it- just a little zippage.

Anyway. Meatloaf. I've said it before: makes me happy.

Chipotle Meat Loaf

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Meat loaf:

1 (7-ounce) can chipotle chiles in adobo sauce

1/2 cup finely chopped onion

1/2 cup coarsely chopped fresh cilantro

1/4 cup regular oats

1/4 cup dry breadcrumbs

1/4 cup tomato sauce

2 teaspoons chopped fresh parsley

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon ground cumin

1/2 teaspoon dried oregano

1/4 teaspoon dried basil

1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

2 garlic cloves, minced

2 large egg whites

1 pound ground turkey

1 pound ground turkey breast

Cooking spray

Topping:

1/4 cup tomato sauce

1 tablespoon ketchup

1/2 teaspoon hot sauce

Preheat oven to 350°.

To prepare meat loaf, remove 1 chipotle chile and 1 teaspoon adobo sauce from can; reserve remaining chiles and sauce for another use. Chop chile. Combine chile, adobo sauce, onion, and next 14 ingredients (through ground turkey breast) in a large bowl, stirring to combine. Place turkey mixture in a 9 x 5-inch loaf pan coated with cooking spray. Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 30 minutes.

To prepare topping, combine 1/4 cup tomato sauce, ketchup, and hot sauce in a small bowl; brush mixture evenly over meat loaf. Cover and bake an additional 30 minutes or until thermometer registers 160°. Let stand 10 minutes before slicing.