Lamb-beef Mediterranean Meatloaf with Brown Garlic Rice and Collards

This recipe stems from a markdown find at Target for ground lamb. I got 2 lbs of ground lamb for $3.50 each that I had tucked away in the freezer, so I decided to get creative! I found this recipe for

Lamb, Balsamic, and Sundried tomato meatloaf and adapted to my taste. Here's what I used:

1 lb ground lamb

1/2 lb ground chuck

2 large eggs

1/2 cup rolled oats

2 tbsp balsamic vinegar

4 tbsp onion diced

2 tbsp minced garlic

1/2 cup sundried tomato paste 

1 tbsp Penzey's Tuscan sunset

salt and pepper to taste

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. First combine meats together in a large bowl and set aside. Then, whisk all other ingredients together. Pour egg mixture over meat and mix until combined thoroughly. "Grease" (I used bacon drippings I keep in the fridge) a loaf pan and put meat mixture into pan, forming a "loaf" of sorts. The lamb is a finer meat so it will not be as solid as a normal meatloaf might look. Place in oven and set timer for 30 minutes. Check at 30 minutes- the loaf should have an internal temperature of 140-145. At this point I turned off the oven and let it sit a few more minutes while I finished up the rest of the meal. 

The collards were easy. I had some already chopped and washed collards so I grabbed a handful and dumped them in a saute pan with about 2 cups of homemade chicken broth (out of the freezer), two slices of bacon cut into little bitty pieces, and about 2 slices of onion diced. Salt and pepper to taste. Stir together and bring to a boil. Cover and reduce to simmer. Let collards cook, stirring occasionally so they don't stick, until desired tenderness is reached. about 30 minutes (So my suggestion is to start the collards first and then do the meatloaf- then they will be done at the same time)

I cheated on the rice. It was a 90 second microwave bag from TasyBite. These are so good, flavorful, gluten free etc!!! Whenever I see them at the store (usually Fresh Market or World Market) I'll grab a few to keep on hand. 

Hope you enjoy and Merry Christmas!!!