Say WHAT! Turkey Meatballs

They won't ever guess they are ground Turkey... at least my red meat loving husband couldn't detect it (until I told him after the fact) and I still had to show him the empty turkey package to prove it.

2 lbs Turkey meat
1 cup italian bread crumbs
2 eggs
1/2 grated parmesan cheese
1 tsp dried Basil
1 T dried Parsley
1 tsp dried oregano

1 tsp pepper

mix and then shape into meat balls... cook in a skillet until browned and cooked all the way through. This made enough for our family to have meat ball subs one night and then spaghetti and meat balls the next night.

I simmered them in the marinara sauce before I served them in the same pan I cooked them in.

These hold up really well for anything and won't fall apart or crumble.

Turkey Chili

I have posted this recipe before.. I got it from Whole Foods.com and it is a crowd pleaser!

2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 large onion, coarsely chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons chili powder ( I have noticed that you need more than this. I do it to taste)
2 teaspoons ground oregano
1 teasapoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1 pound lean ground Turkey
1 (15-ounce) can tomato sauce
1 can of whole tomatoes ( I crush them by hand before adding... also add juice)

1/2 small can of tomato paste
2 cans cooked kidney beans
2 cans cooked black beans
Sea salt
1/2 cup chopped cilantro
Hot pepper sauce, to taste (optional)
Method
In a large soup pot or Dutch oven, heat oil over medium heat. Add onions and garlic, and cook 5 minutes,
stirring frequently until onions are translucent.
Stir in chili powder, oregano, cumin and crushed red pepper and cook 1 minute, stirring constantly. Add
ground beef and stir to brown the meat, 3 to 5 minutes.
Add tomato sauce, water and beans. Season with salt to taste, then bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer,
cover and cook for 30 minutes, stirring often, until flavors have melded and sauce is thickened and bubbly.
Stir in cilantro and hot pepper sauce, if desired.

Turkey Polynesian Meatballs

I got this recipe from KRAFT and adapted to be a little more figure and heart healthy.

1 tsp. olive oil

1 large red pepper, chopped

1 onion, chopped

1/4 cup your favorite BBQ Sauce

1 tsp. ground ginger

1 tsp. garlic powder

2 cans (8 oz. each) pineapple chunks, drained, liquid reserved * I use one canned one Fresh for this

12 oz. (3/4 of 1-lb. pkg.) frozen cooked Turkey meatballs

2 cups Brown Rice steamed

Directions

Put olive oil in large skillet on medium-high heat. Add peppers and onions; cook 5 min. or until crisp-tender, stirring frequently.

STIR in barbecue sauce, ginger, garlic powder and reserved pineapple liquid. Add meatballs; mix lightly until evenly coated. Cook 10 min. or until meatballs are heated through, stirring occasionally.

STIR pineapple into meatball mixture. Serve over the rice.

Turkey Tacos

Tacos are pretty basic so I will just go over the meat mixture and the salsa I make. I like to serve my tacos on whole wheat tortillas with fresh cilantro, a fresh salsa (it takes about 5 min to make one), lettuce tomatoes, well you get the point

Turkey Taco Meat

1 lb of Ground Turkey (lean)

1 can of Chili beans or pino beans

2 cloves of diced garlic

1 package of low sodium Taco seasoning (you can make your own if you choose)

add 1 TBSP of olive oil and add garlic, cook for one minute then add ground turkey, cook until brown and add in 1 can of chili bean or pinto beans. Cook for 2 minutes and add 1/2 of taco seasoning and 2 TBSP of water... add more taco seasoning to taste.

Fresh Salsa

Dice up 2 tomatoes (large)

3 TBSP of chopped cilantro

juice of half a lime

salt to taste

1/4 of a red onion diced

add all ingredients in a bowl and mix with a spoon and serve