Jazzy Gourmet

Meatloaf:

• 4 large purple plums, rinsed, pitted and quartered
• 2 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 1 carrot, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, chopped
• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 pound ground pork
• 1/2 teaspoon Chinese five-spice powder
• 2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 whole fresh egg, lightly beaten
• 3/4 cup old-fashioned oats, toasted

Plum BBQ Sauce

• 1 clove garlic, chopped
• 1 tablespoon freshly grated ginger
• 1/4 cup ketchup
• 1 tablespoon lite sodium soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 1/8-1/4 teaspoon dried chili flakes

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Place plums in food processor and pulse until they are finely chopped. Measure out 1/2 cup and place in large bowl.

In a medium skillet, heat oil over medium heat. Add onion, carrot and 2 cloves garlic and saute, stirring frequently, until tender, about 7-10 minutes. Place in large bowl with 1/2 cup plums and cool.

Meanwhile, prepare the sauce. In the same skillet, combine remaining chopped plums, 1 clove garlic, ginger, ketchup, soy sauce, honey and chili flakes. Cook at medium heat for 20-30 minutes or until thickened, stirring occasionally.

In the large bowl, add ground beef, ground pork, Chinese five-spice powder, salt, pepper, egg and oatmeal to the cooked vegetable/plum mixture. Mix well, shape into loaf and place in loaf pan or on rack that has been sprayed with cooking spray and set in a shallow baking pan. Bake at 350 degrees F for 45 minutes, top with Plum BBQ Sauce and bake for an additional 30 minutes. Remove from oven. Allow to rest 10-15 minutes before slicing.

Makes 6-8 servings