Turkey Ricotta Meatballs From Small Victories Food

TURKEY & RICOTTA MEATBALLS FROM SMALL VICTORIES

Steps:

• Pour the contents of the tomato cans into a large bowl (set the cans aside) and crush the tomatoes with your hands (this is a messy but fun job, and a very good one for children). Rinse one of the cans with about 1/4 cup [60 ml] water, pour it into the second can and swish it around to get all the excess tomato out of the cans, and then pour the water into the tomato bowl.
• In a large saucepan or pot over medium-high heat, warm 3 Tbsp of the olive oil, add the sliced garlic, and cook, stirring, until it begins to sizzle, about 1 minute. Add the tomatoes and a very large pinch of salt and bring to a boil. Lower the heat and let the sauce simmer, stirring every so often, until it is slightly reduced and has lost any tin-can taste, about 30 minutes.
• Meanwhile, preheat your oven to 425°F [220°C]. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil. Drizzle 2 Tbsp olive oil on the baking sheet and use your hands to rub it over the entire surface of the sheet. Set aside.
• In a large bowl, combine the minced garlic, basil, parsley, ricotta, Parmesan, turkey, and 1 Tbsp salt. Blend everything together gently but authoritatively with your hands (they're the best tool for the job) until well mixed. Then, use your hands to form the mixture into golf ball-sized meatballs; the mixture will be sticky, so wet your hands with a bit of water to help prevent the meat from sticking to them. Transfer the meatballs to the prepared baking sheet as you form them (it's okay if they are touching a little). Drizzle the meatballs with the remaining 2 Tbsp olive oil and roast until they're browned and firm to the touch, about 25 minutes.
• Use tongs or a slotted spoon to transfer the meatballs to the simmering sauce (discard whatever juice and fat is left on the baking sheet). Cook the meatballs for 10 minutes in the sauce (they can be left in the gently simmering sauce for up to 1 hour) and serve.
• SPIN-OFFS.
• FOR SAUSAGE AND RICOTTA MEATBALLS, instead of ground turkey, use 2 lb [910 g] of your favorite sausage meat. Just take it out of its casings and proceed as directed. I like using half sweet and half spicy Italian sausage.
• FOR A SLIGHTLY MOROCCAN RIFF, use ground lamb instead of turkey and finely crumbled feta instead of Parmesan. Leave out the ricotta. Add a handful each of toasted pine nuts and raisins to the mixture, and use mint instead of basil. Add a cinnamon stick to the tomato sauce (remove it before serving the meatballs).
• Recipe courtesy of Small Victories by Julia Turshen, buy the book here: https://www.amazon.com/Small-Victories-Recipes-Hundreds-Triumphs/dp/1452143099.

GROUND TURKEY-RICOTTA MEATBALLS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Mix turkey, ricotta cheese, bread crumbs, basil, egg, salt, and pepper together in a bowl until just combined.
• Scoop mixture using a 1-ounce measure onto the prepared baking sheet.
• Bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes. Flip meatballs and bake until browned and no longer pink in the centers, about 5 minutes more.

TURKEY RICOTTA MEATBALLS IN BROTH

Steps:

• Mix the first 6 ingredients thoroughly and refrigerate until ready to use. (*I have made meatball mixture ahead and kept in a tightly sealed container until dinner time, could possibly scoop and freeze meatballs and keep in freezer for single portion of soup - have not tried yet).
• In a large pot, combine broth, zest and thyme - simmer.
• Either use a regular sized cookie scoop (~1/4c) or a small sized cookie scoop (~2 tbs) to make meatballs - alternatively you can scoop with tablespoons, measuring cups, whatever you have on hand.
• Carefully drop meatballs into broth and simmer until meatballs float and are cooked through, approx 10-12 minutes.
• Just before you are ready to serve, toss in spinach and let it wilt.
• Can garnish with slices of lemon.
• Optional additions for meatballs (may need to omit nutmeg depending on spice variations) - minced onion, minced garlic, various herbs to taste.
• Optional additions for broth - cooked rice or pasta, julienne vegs (i.e. carrots, peppers).

SAVORY TURKEY-RICOTTA MEATBALLS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
• Combine ground turkey breast with the other ingredients in a bowl and then shape mixture into about 18 meatballs.
• Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat.
• Coat pan with cooking spray.
• Add meatballs, and brown on all sides.
• Remove from skillet; transfer to a broiler pan coated with cooking spray, and bake for 15 minutes or until done.
• To freeze: Follow cooking directions, then allow meatballs to cool to room temperature.
• Place on a baking sheet, making sure they don't touch one another, and place in the freezer for an hour.
• Next, transfer hardened meatballs to an airtight container, and store in the freezer.
• Thaw meatballs in the refrigerator, then bake at 375 degrees for 20 minutes or untinl heated.

LENTIL RICOTTA "MEATBALLS"

Steps:

• Add all ingredients to a deep bowl. Mix very well, using hands or a wooden spoon. Cover and refrigerate for two hours or overnight.
• When ready to cook, shape mixture into 1 1/2-inch balls. Heat about 1/2-inch of oil in a nonstick skillet over medium flame. Add shaped "meatballs" and cook until browned all around, turning only once. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate and let excess drain off. Add to simmering marinara sauce if serving immediately, or store in a tightly covered container up to three days.