Red and Blue Meatloaf

This is a fancy schmancy meatloaf that you can cook in the crockpot.  When I first heard about it, I admit I was a little grossed out:   dried cherries, blue cheese, beef?  I love all of those things seperately, and even in combinations of 2...but all 3 together weirded me out.   Upon the insistance of my friend, I made if because she raved and raved about how her whole family adored it!

She was right...

• 1 pound of lean ground beef, or turkey
• 1/2 cup dried cherries
• 1/2 cup blue cheese crumbles
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp pepper
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1 T chopped fresh basil or 1/2 Tbl dried
• 1/4 cup bread crumbs

1. In a large mixing bowl, mix the meat, cherries, cheese, spices, bread crumbs, and the egg.
2. Either, spray the inside of your crock well with cooking spray and plop the meatloaf in the center, taking care to shape it loaf-like.   OR   Put it in a metal loaf pan and then put the loaf pan inside your crockpot (check to make sure it fits first)
3. Cover and cook on high for 4 hours, or on low for 6-7.  It will turn an odd grayish color on the top middle because of the low and slow cooking...don't worry it still taste yummy!
4. Using two spatulas, lift the meat out of the crock and let it stand on a cutting board for 5-10 minutes before cutting.

*Note: I used a meatloaf insert that has holes to drain away the fat.  Due to this, my meatloaf was slightly dry using this cooking method (never has been the case when I've used this in the oven).  Next time, I'd still do it this way just becuase I don't like the idea of my meatloaf sitting in its own fat...but I'd reduce the cooking time to about 7 hrs (I had it in there for 8 because of my work schedule)



Yummy with Hummus Mashed Potatoes (pictured above)