Turkey Meatballs with this piquant Sicilian tomato sauce appeals to the taste buds as well as the waist line. A really easy dish to put together and can be served both hot, with some pasta or cold. The sauce is so nice that you could use a good carb to mob up the juices! Or just put these wonderful turkey meatballs on bread for lunch. Given that we are all watching the calories Turkey Meatballs are a better option that the traditional beef or lamb. Or if you choose not to eat red meat this is the perfect substitute, a delicious easy turkey meatball it the way to go! You can save at least 80 calories and not substitute flavour or texture. Nothing is more pleasing than eating good and tasting good.
As you make the sauce, pay attention to the tomatoes. We really like canned San Marzano they are the best tomatoes in the world. These tomatoes will make this sauce sing.
We have served this dish with roasted cauliflower and even a chick pea mash – all helps getting the waist line ready for the beach!
Like Turkey? Try these other dishes where you can substitute mince meat for turkey mince
Bobotie | Traditional South African Comfort Food |
Moussaka Made Simple | Great Greek Cheat |
Antons’ Nosh | Tasty and Wholesome |
Turkey Meatballs Sicilian Style
(1 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5)
Loading...You can save at least 80 calories and not substitute flavour or texture. Nothing is more pleasing than eating good and tasting good.
Ingredients
- FOR THE MEATBALLS
- 500gm minced turkey breast
- 4 slices of stale or toasted bread (wholemeal is better)
- 1 Egg
- 1 clove finely chopped garlic
- 3 tablespoons of chopped flat leaved parsley
- 1 good pinch of ground cumin
- 2 tablespoons of olive oil
- ½ plain flour
- 1 good pinch of ground pepper
- 1 pinch of salt
- FOR THE SAUCE
- 1 can chopped tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons of olive oil
- 1 clove of garlic, peeled
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 2 tablespoons of chopped flat leaf parsley
- 1 red chilli cut in half (optional) or half a teaspoon of chilli flakes (again optional)
- 1 heaped teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon of ground cinnamon
- 1 bayleaf
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
PREPARE THE SAUCE
Add the olive oil to a thick bottomed pan and bring to a medium heat
Add the garlic and onion and sauté for 5 minutes
Add the spices, the chilli and bay leaf and sauté for a further 2 minutes
Add the tomatoes and a little salt and pepper
Simmer for 15 mins till the sauce thickens
FOR THE MEATBALLS
Crumble the stale bread of toast into a bowl and moisten with a little warm water
Leave to stand for about half an hour, then press with a fork to eliminate any lumps
Add the minced turkey, egg, garlic, the spices and the parsley.
Mix well with a wooden spoon till smooth
In the palm of your hand roll some of the mixture into a ball about the size of a large apricot
Roll your balls in the flour (I find this easier to flour my hands first to stop sticking)
Heat the olive oil in a frying pan to medium heat
Add the meat balls and brown - leave to cook for about 15 mins, turning twice
Add the sauce and simmer for about 5 mins and you are good to go
Serve and garnish with chopped parsley of a sprig of basil
Wine Matching
Turkey Meatballs done Sicilian style works well with a really hearty red. Of course, it has to be Italian. We served a Dominic Hentall Terra Calda Primitivo 2017 from Puglia. This is a Primitivo for those who like their wines a dark inky red, with intense dark fruits and spice, and a perfect balance of finely integrated tannins and creamy oak. Available from Naked Wines.
Take advantage of our Naked Wines offer and get a healthy £75 off your first order –
No Comments