Meat and Potatoes

Growing up in Stockton, CA in the 1970s, I was pretty much raised on meat and potatoes... Or, more accurately, meat and starches. Macaroni and cheese with tuna, Hamburger Helper, scalloped potatoes with Spam, Spam and eggs, Spam with just about any kind of rice or potato side dish. Instead of growing up hating meat and starches, I grew up addicted to them... Which may partially explain why I'm a Weight Watchers member.

Of all the mealtime combinations of my youth, though, the one that stands above all others, the creme-de-la-creme, the modus operandi of my meat-and-potatoes persona, was --and still is-- meatloaf and mashed potatoes. To this day, I love meatloaf and mashed potatoes. Which is why I set out to recreate the delectable treat I enjoyed at this past December's office party... With a few Weight Watchers-related adaptations.

Here's the recipe, which I hope you enjoy as much as I did......

Meatloaf Cupcakes with Cauli-mash Frosting

INGREDIENTS

'CUPCAKES'
2 pound(s) uncooked ground turkey
1 packet(s) onion  soup mix
½ cup(s) seasoned breadcrumbs
½ medium uncooked onion (s), diced
1 cup(s) shredded carrot(s)
½ cup(s) egg white (s)
¼ cup(s) ketchup
2 Tbsp Dijon Mustard
1 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce

'FROSTING'
8 oz frozen cauliflower florets
3 medium uncooked potato(es)
½ Tbsp margarine
½ cup(s) fat free milk
1 tsp table salt
⅛ tsp black pepper
1 tsp minced garlic
1 Tbsp freeze-dried chives

INSTRUCTIONS

Peel potatoes and cut in 1/2" slices. Break cauliflower into florets. Place potato slices and cauliflower florets in a pot, cover with water, add 1/2 tsp. salt, bring to a boil and cook for ◴ 15 minutes. Finely rice the cooked cauliflower and potatoes, taking the time to squeeze the extra water out of the cauliflower. Add milk, margarine, remaining salt, pepper, and garlic, combine with a fork and set aside (Note: The cauli-mash/'frosting' pictured in this blog is a double-batch, as I made extra for future meals. This recipe will make half as much as shown).

Combine ground turkey, diced onion , onion  soup mix, bread crumbs, egg whites , shredded carrots, ketchup, Dijon mustard, and Worcestershire sauce.

Spray cupcake pan with cooking spray. Divide meatloaf into 12 equal-sized balls, press a ball into each of the oiled pan cups and form a depression in the top of each 'cupcake'. Fill a piping bag or piping gun with cauli-mash 'frosting' and 'frost' the top of each 'cupcake'.

Preheat oven to 350F. Cook 'frosted' 'cupcakes' for ◴ 45 minutes. Serves 12, 6 WW Points+ per serving.


A note to social media users: Here is a sample tweet you can use to share this recipe: 

• A new #meatandpotatoes #recipe, made from delicious ingredients purchased @AldiUSA: http://bit.ly/1xOy5Ad. #blog #foodpics @WeightWatchers

Additional acknowledgements: Portions of the above recipe were adapted from a mashed 'potatoes' with chives recipe from Weight Watchers (http://bit.ly/1yjIg4D)