Worknight Dinner Recipe: Turkey, Cranberry & Basil Meatballs

Cooking in a new kitchen is like having a new boyfriend. Stay with me here, I promise, I'm onto something.

When you're in a new relationship you want to put your best foot forward. You can't let your man other see you in sweatpants or without makeup. You don't want to be too forward, but you don't want the lucky guy to think you're interested.

You don't want to come right out and tell him you like him because you're unsure if he feels the same way about you. You recognize some of their flaws but you haven't decided yet if you can embrace and appreciate them because you're happy enough with the big picture.

If you follow my blog you'll know that I don't have a new boyfriend but I do have a new kitchen. And if you follow my blog you also know that I'm a lot more equipped to give advice about kitchens than about boyfriends.

I've been situated in my new apartment for about a week now and have come a long way since moving day. Only a few lingering boxes remain and the space is starting to actually resemble an apartment and not just a comfortable storage unit for cardboard parcels and assorted furniture.

After a few nights of restaurants, sandwiches, crackers and hummus I decided to start with something simple. Something that called for easy ingredients and as few appliances as possible - since I'm not really sure I remember exactly where I put everything.

If you read The Perfect Pantry, this recipe might sound familiar. If you don't read it, you should, because otherwise you'll miss out on greta recipes like these turkey, cranberry and basil meatballs. Three ingredients that sound unlikely together, but worked perfectly anyway.

Turkey, Cranberry and Basil Meatballs
Serves 4-6

Ingredients:

1/4 cup dried cranberries
1-1/4 lb ground turkey (93% fat free)
1/2 cup Greek yogurt
1/2 cup plain dry breadcrumbs
1/3 cup finely chopped fresh basil
1 large egg
1/2 tsp kosher salt
1/2 tsp fresh black pepper

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Place cranberries in a one-cup glass measuring cup, and fill with water to the 1-cup mark. Microwave on high for 1 minute. Set aside.

2. In a large mixing bowl, combine turkey, yogurt, breadcrumbs, basil, egg, salt and pepper. Drain the cranberries, and add them to the turkey. With your hands, mix just until the ingredients are combined; do not overmix.

3. Using an ice cream scoop (the kind with a release, called a "disher"), form the meatballs and place on a rimmed baking sheet lined with a Silpat (silicone mat) or parchment paper. You should get 17-18 large meatballs.

4. Bake for 18 minutes. Serve hot, at room temperature, or cold. A salad of greens dressed with balsamic vinegar makes a perfect base for the meatballs.

Comments

[beyond]

and you don't have to wait for your new kitchen to call you...

[Daryl Callahan]

What a delicious combination. I bet they are terrific!

[Sarah Caron]

Those look delicious! Hope you and your new kitchen get chummy very quickly :)

[mandy]

These sound great I have been wanting to make meatballs for a few week and havent gotten around to it. I already have the ingredients for these on hand, woooo, dinner one night!

[Good Taste. Healthy Me]

These look yummy. I'll have to try them sometime!

[Dad]

looks good enough to eat

[Lydia (The Perfect Pantry)]

I'm honored that you chose one of my recipes to begin your relationship with the new kitchen! May it be the first of many delicious meals the kitchen gives forth. And, by the way, any guy would be lucky to be offered a meal from your kitchen.

[Sues]

Yum!! I saw those on Lydia's website and have been meaning to make them. Now I reallyyy want to!

[Jessica]

This is going to be very bad for me that you live in the same city as me and two blocks again. To the stretchy pants I go!

[Jackie]

Happy to hear you're getting settled. I'm sure that was tough, especially moving halfway across the country! Meatballs look great! (And I just noticed you have gas burners - so lucky!)

[grace]

excellent--it's like thanksgiving all over again, and in the very best way. keep on breaking in that new kitchen (i like the comparison, by the way)!

[Liz - Meal Makeover Mom]

I love this recipe. In fact, I was in Lydia's amazing kitchen when she created this delicious dish. Next time I make it, I'm going to try golden raisins! Congrats on the new kitchen.

[thatShortChick]

thank you for posting a turkey meatball recipe!! I am slowly but surely on the path to ridding beef from my diet.

[New kitchen]

Looking so tasty...