{Pineapple Teriyaki Meatloaf} made with Greek Yogurt

There's some people who just like things the way they like them: Traditional. Simple. Predictable.  I'd venture to say Dear Hubby is like this...in most areas.  But me, not so much.  I like flair. I like creativity. I like trying new things. I like making grilled cheese with blackberries & basil. I like creating and being messy in the kitchen.  Which brings us to last night's dinner.  I had a pound of lean ground beef in the fridge that I knew I had to use.  Traditional would say: make hamburgers. Or make taco salad.  Or make sloppy joes.  Or make plain meatloaf. But I wanted to do something different more interesting.  If you've ever had the Bonzai Burger at Red Robin, you are going to love this recipe!!

Introducing Pineapple Teriyaki Meatloaf:

A little bit sweet, a little bit salty. An island party minus the umbrellas.  It came out perfectly browned yet juicy.

I made a sauce/gravy to top the meatloaf out of the following ingredients:

I served it with mashed potatoes, and just did small portions (less than 1/4 pound per person).  But you know me, to increase the health-factor, I just HAD to throw in a little Chobani Greek Yogurt!

Ingredients:

• 1 lb lean ground beef, I use organic grass-fed when possible
• 4 pieces of toast, crumbled/crushed
• 1/2 cup diced pineapple
• 1/4 cup Chobani pineapple Greek Yogurt (instead of using a traditional egg)
• 2 tsp minced garlic
• 1 tsp soy sauce
• 1 tsp honey
• 1 tsp molasses
• 3 slices bacon (I used thick "center-cut" bacon)
• potatoes to mash
• sauce/gravy: 1/2 cup Island Teriyaki marinade, 2 Tbsp pineapple juice, 1 Tbsp water, 1 Tbsp flour

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350.
2. Combine first 8 ingredients (through molasses) together in a mixing bowl.
3. Form into a meat block and place on sprayed aluminum foil; and top with 3 slices of bacon.
4. Bake for 40 minutes at 350, then raise temp to 375 to finish it off for the remaining 20 minutes.
5. For Sauce, heat the Island Teriyaki marinade & pineapple juice over medium-low heat.  Once hot, slowly stir in the flour, stirring regularly until it reaches your desired thickness.
6. Drizzle sauce/gravy over sliced meatloaf.  Serve with mashed potatoes.
7. Take a bite.  Take another bite. Smile. Repeat.

Questions:

• Do you like traditional combinations/flavors of food, or are you more adventurous like I am?
• Do you like making new meals/recipes? What's most important to you in a recipe?