Mom's Homemade Turkey Burger Meatballs

Meatballs can be a quick meal option. Other than them just being a cool kid food. 

I make meatballs, because, frankly, I know my kids will eat them. It's easy enough, homemade so I am controlling what goes in, and...oh yeah that's right, tastes freaking awesome.

Thanks Mom!

Before I give you my meatballs recipe, I have to admit...it's not really my own. I may have borrowed it from my mom. You see, my mom always has, and still does, makes the best turkey and/or chicken burgers. Hands down, the best...for real (moms are the best home cooks, so it's ok for me to say that). Soooo, who am I to play with perfection?

Therefore, I simply took her recipe, remixed it just a tad, into meatball form, and stuffed it with cheese...oh yes. Meatballs with cheese, that tastes like moms burgers, and my kids eat! 

Eat Sprout

Now, as you may have known by now, I recently started getting my meat products farm fresh from Sprout Farm Fresh. The reason being:

• They have organic meat products available
• The meat is butcher-quality and coming from the farm straight to your door - yes delivered!!
• Fresh the day of delivery, so higher nutritional profile than those that have been in the freezer
• Their selection and prices are awesome, and an easy to shop process

I really encourage you all to try this option. Shop or browse by clicking here.

Turkey for the Win!

Ok my meatballs...I chose to make them out of turkey. Turkey is a lean meat, meaning it has less fat than other meats, so generally better for you in that sense. 

Oh I should mention, when I got the meat, 2kg of it, it was delivered neatly packed into 0.5kg bags.  Sealed and ready for storage, or the freezer if needed. Such nicely packed, portioned amounts is ideal for me! It's so easy to store, and defrost, and just saves me having to do it (which, if you have ever packed/portioned ground meat yourself, is far from enjoyable). 

Ok yes, cheese-stuffed turkey meatballs...here we go.

Ingredients

• 0.5 kg ground turkey meat
• 1 handful chopped cilantro
• 1 large egg
• 4 minced garlic gloves
• 1/2 finely chopped onion
• 2-3 tsp minced fresh ginger (or grated)
• 1 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tsp lemon juice
• 2 tsp paprika
• 2-3 tsp garlic powder
• a dash of oregano
• salt and pepper as desired
• 3-4 oz. cubed cheddar cheese 
• breadcrumbs (optional)
• olive oil, baking spray or parchment paper to line baking tray

What To Do

1. Preheat the oven at 325°
2. Combine all the ingredients, except for the cheddar cheese and breadcrumbs (it's best to just mix with your hands, I think). 
   
3. Once all combined, test rolling out some in your hand, if you find that the meat is too sticky, add breadcrumbs. Add enough, slowly, to not be very visible, but making the mixture more workable. 
4. Taking an amount no larger than 1 tablespoon, work into a half dome. 
5. Add a piece of the cheddar cheese in the middle of the dome.
   
6. Now roll into a ball, about 1/2 inch size small meatballs, and cover the cheese completely.
   
7. Place on the baking sheet and back for about 20min. (You will need to check if meatballs are browning, as cooking time will vary depending on the size of the meatballs).
8. Let cool, serve with salad, pasta, in sauce, or have as a snack (I sometimes serve this simply with some greek style potatoes and veggies). 

*I was provided with product to write this post, however, all opinions and thoughts are my own. 

Easy No-Bake Energy Bites

You know I am always making snacks, ones that are healthy and the kids would love.

With any snack, fibre is a major goal.

Recently, Rayna was bouting some tummy issues. For me, this was super traumatizing watching her be uncomfortable, as well as the fact that I try so hard to give them healthful foods at least 80% of the time. It kind of concerned me that on the odd occasions she may eat something that would send her gut off on this painful course. 

Of course, I may be being a bit dramatic (but food and nutrition are kind of something that I feel I got a handle on, so for me, yeah it's a big deal). 

Anywho, it got me thinking that I want to have home-made snacks on hand for times we have to be on the go, or if I have a meeting to run to and must leave with a sitter, or whatever. Just something trustworthy and healthful yet filling. 

Now, as a bonus, I wanted to create something I would love to eat too...given I'm kind of on the go most of the time. 

I have been seeing the concept of these "energy balls" or "bites" being pretty popular. So, I set off to the kitchen to play with some ingredients I had on hand and test out a few recipes. This was was pretty "rock on" (sorry, Caiden has been saying that lately), and was so stoked I handed them out!

Not only is is fricking jam-packed with goodness and nutrition, it is a fulfilling snack, and gives a little bit of needed energy if you are feeling sluggish.

So give it a go...the kids ate them up, I did, and a few other adults. I think this will be in rotation at my place.

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups rolled oats
1 tbsp chia seeds
1 tbsp seedibles cinnawow (if you don't have this use ground flax mixed with cinnamon)
2 tbsp desiccated unsweetened coconut
1tsp honey or maple syrup
2 tbsp almond butter (or any nut butter)
2 to 3 tbsp peach & pear puree (preferably homemade)
1 tsp vanilla

What to do:

Mix everything well, in a medium-sized bowl, by hand is easiest. At this point you can add in additional items you wish to (see the notes for some ideas). 

Cover and chill in your refrigerator, for 20 minutes.

Take out and roll into small balls (about 1/2 inch balls).

Chill again for 15 to 20 minutes, just to set shape.

Enjoy.

Notes:

• To make puree at home: Peel and cut 1 Bartlett Pear, 1 peach, add about 2 tablespoons of water and blend away. 
• Optional add-ins: dried cranberries, crushed nuts, yogurt chips, dark chocolate bits, raisins, pumpkin seeds, chopped up dates...
• It's up to you what vanilla you use, I couldn't wait to use the vanilla I got from Mexico...honestly it was delicious!