Turkey Meatloaf with Mushrooms and White Beans and Cauliflower Mashed Potatoes

Here are my two favorite South Beach Phase 1 Meals. I did so great while Andy was out of town on eating the phase one way...no such luck when he walked home with a bag of m&ms and proceeded to eat them in front of me...I felt I needed a reward for my two days of sacrifice and therefore ruined my two days in phase one only to have to start at day one again. Monday (my second attempt at day one) - car got broken into and after a day of inservice on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math in the classroom, I deserved my two and very UN-phase one Margaritas that night. Day one for the third time - TODAY - Andy went out with a friend for dinner so I decided I still deserved two maragaritas with my mom and sister and daughter (who by the way proceeded to cheers every glass at the dinner table with her styrofoam cup and lid more than once) and once again, I will tomorrow begin day one of phase one again for the 4th time. I actually have done perfectly with my food...well except for the late night pretzel m&ms we will probably finally polish off tonight. For lunch I had spaghetti squash and black beans - very filling and tasty but I just can't get away from the de-stress relief I get from a little bit of tequila. You may think I am an alchy after reading this - I assure you I am the furthest from it - it just so happens I had the opportunity to partake at two restaruants in a row that feature such a wonderful beverage and couldn't resist. Anyway, I digress...here are my two favorite recipes. I made one last week and am pretty sure the next will be soon to come! If you know anything about South Beach - Phase one=no anything obviously bad along with fruit, juice, wine (all other alc. of course too but some say wine is GOOD for your health so thought I would include it in with the good things), fruit, bread, pasta, any type of carb EXCEPT for beans, etc. So these recipes work perf. for phase one. Also, note that my last recipe post - zuccini boats are perf for phase one minus the bread crumbs...substitute chopped mushrooms for the bread crumbs to help hold the mixture together.

Ground Turkey Meatloaf and Cauliflower Mashed Potatoes

Meatloaf Ingredients:

2 tsp. evoo (extra virgin olive oil)

1 1/2 c. chopped onion

1/2 tsp. dried thyme

1/2 tsp. cayenne

1/2 tsp. paprika

1/2 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. ground pepper

3/4 lb. mushrooms trimmed (take the stems out) chopped

4 cloves garlic, minced

1 (15 oz.) can great Northern beans rinsed and drained

1 1/4 lb. ground turkey

2 large eggs

1/2 c. parsley (fresh and chopped)

4 tsp. Worcestershirt sauce

2 tsp. Dijon mustard plus extra for serving

Heat oven to 375 degrees F. Lightly coat an 8x4x2.5 in glass loaf pan with cooking spray (I use olive oil spray).

In a large skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add onion, thyme, cayenne, paprika, salt, and pepper. Reduce heat to medium-low and cook, stirring occasionally, 5 min. Add mushrooms and garlic; cook, stirring occasionally, until onion is softened and mushrooms are incorporated, about 5 min. longer. Add beans and stir to combine, remove from heat. Transfer mixture to bowl and let cool, about 5 min.

In large bowl, add bean mixture, eggs, raw ground turkey, parsley, and 2 tsp. W sauce. Mix well with hands to combine. Pour mixture into loaf pan and smooth at the top. Cook for 50 min.

Combine mustard with 2 tsp. W sauce and set aside.

Remove from oven and brush with w sauce/mustard mixture and return to the oven to bake from another 10 - 15 min. Bake until the meat thermometer reaches 170 degrees F. Let stand for 5 min and serve with dijon mustard.

Cauliflower Mashed Potato Ingredients

2 heads fresh Cauliflower

One large carton chicken broth

Two cloves garlic roughly chopped into quarters

fresh chopped parsley - a couple tbs.

Wash and cut the cauliflower and place in a large stock pot. Pour in chicken broth, garlic cloves, and then water until the cauliflower is covered in liquid. Boil with the lid on until VERY soft - 20 - 30 min.

Once finished, use a slotted spoon to transfer the Cauliflower to your food processor. Process until the consistency of mashed potatoes. If you want it thinner and smoother, add some chicken broth to the mixture. Stir in salt and pepper to taste and parsley. DO NOT add butter! Cauliflower has a buttery taste on its on and paired with the chicken broth has a very wonderful flavor!

I also serve this with green beans almondine, YUM!