Turkey Meatballs with Tomatoes and Basil Recipe

• Prep time: 20 minutes
• Cook time: 35 minutes

INGREDIENTS

Meatballs

• 1 1/2 pounds ground turkey (ground turkey thigh meat if available)
• 1/2 cup bread crumbs
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1 egg
• 2 tablespoons minced fresh basil
• 2 teaspoons Kosher salt
• 2 teaspoons minced fresh rosemary
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon fennel seeds
• 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 1/3 cup flour, for dredging
Sauce
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 2 large garlic cloves, minced
• 1/2 jalapeno chile, seeded, minced
• 3 tablespoons chicken stock or white wine
• 1 1/2 pounds fresh tomatoes, roughly chopped (can sub one 28-ounce can of crushed tomatoes)
• 1/4 cup fresh basil, sliced thin

METHOD

1 Place the ground turkey, bread crumbs, sour cream, egg, minced basil, salt, minced rosemary, oregano, thyme, fennel seeds, and red pepper flakes in a large bowl. Using your (clean) hands, gently mix together. Place dredging flour in a shallow bowl. Form 1 1/2 to 2-inch diameter meatballs, and roll them in the dredging flour, and set them aside. You should have approximately 18 to 22 meatballs.

2 In a large, shallow sauté pan, heat the olive oil over medium high heat. Gently add the meatballs to the pan. Do not crowd the pan, you may need to work in batches. Once the meatballs are sizzling in the hot oil, reduce the heat to medium low and gently cook them on at least 3 sides, until the meatballs are browned all over and cooked through, about 10 minutes per batch. (Gentle heat will make it take longer for the meatballs to brown, but will ensure that they get cooked through.) Use tongs or a slotted spoon to remove the meatballs from the pan to a bowl.

3 Add the garlic and jalapeno to the pan and cook for 1 minute. Add the chicken stock or white wine, increase the heat to high and boil it down to the point where a wooden spoon leaves a marked trail through the pan.

4 Return the meatballs to the pan and coat with the pan sauce. Add the fresh tomatoes and toss to coat. Cook for 4 minutes or until the tomatoes just begin to break down. Do not overcook the tomatoes. Turn off the heat and toss in the fresh basil.

Serve with fresh mozzarella, parmesan or pecorino cheese. Serve alone or with pasta, rice, or in a sandwich roll.

Yield: Serve 4 to 6.