Tarragon Turkey Loaf with Mushroom Sauce

Yummy! Turkey Loaf with Mushroom gravy, served up with peas and carrots, brussel sprouts, and 8-grain muffins. This meal is past great!

TURKEY TARROGON LOAF

2teaspoons margarine

1 medium-size yellow onion, chopped

1 large stalk celery, chopped fine

1 pound ground turkey

1/3 cup of chopped parsley (or 1 1/2 T dried)

1/4 cup fine bread crumbs

1/4 cup skim milk

1 large egg white

1/2 Teaspoon dried tarragon

1/4 teaspoon each of black pepper and nutmeg (yes!)

***FOR THE MUSHROOM SAUCE***

2 teaspoons margarine

1 cup chopped mushrooms

2 tablespoons flour

1 cup chicken broth

1/8 teaspoon each ground nutmeg, salt, black pepper, and dried tarragon

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Preheat the oven to 350. In a heavy nonstick skillet or saucepan, melt the margarine over moderate heat; add the onion and celery, and cook, uncovered, until the onion is soft--about 5 minutes.

2. Meanwhile, in a large bowl, combine the turkey, parsley, bread crumbs, milk, egg white, tarragon, pepper, and nutmeg. Add the onion and celery and mix well.

3. Lightly coat a loaf pan with cooking spray. Press the turkey mixture into the pan and bake for 40 to 45 minutes or until lightly browned and firm to the touch. Cool in the pan for 15 minutes. Using 2 spatulas, transfer loaf to a heated platter. (I ladled the mushroom sauce over individual servings.)

4. Meanwhile, prepare the sauce. In the same skillet or a saucepan, melt the margarine over moderate heat. Add the mushrooms and cook for 3 to 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.

5. Remove from the heat and blend in the flour, chicken broth, nutmeg, salt, pepper, and tarragon; return to the heat and cook about 5 minutes, stirring, until thick.

6. Ladle some sauce over the loaf and serve the rest at the table if you like. ( I ladled over each serving.) SERVES 4.

NOTES: I double the recipe and cook in a bigger dish or 2 loaf pans.

TIPS: I have come to love this sauce so much that I have used it in other recipes, without the tarragon usually. I made a chicken and noodle dish with this sauce that was delicious. And yes, my kids even like it!