Turkey meatballs with asian noodles

Ingredients

What you'll need for the turkey meatballs

2 pounds free range organic ground turkey- we like Heidi's Hens® Certified Organic Turkey
1 1/2 cups gluten-free bread crumbs
1 large spring onion or scallion (or 2 small), diced fine
1 medium large carrot, processed or diced very fine
2 cloves fresh garlic, minced
1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
2 tablespoons fresh chopped parsley
2 tablespoons fresh chopped mint leaves
2 tablespoons fresh chopped cilantro leaves
Juice from 1 fresh medium lime
1 tablespoon molasses or wheat-free tamari sauce
1 tablespoon raw agave nectar or real maple syrup
Sea salt and ground pepper, to taste (use less salt if you use tamari sauce)

Read more: http://glutenfreegoddess.blogspot.com/2010/04/turkey-meatballs-with-asian-noodles.html#ixzz1mEOAOYNY

For Noodles
You'll need:

1 package gluten-free noodles or spaghetti
Light olive oil, as needed
2-3 spring onions or scallions, sliced (white and light green sections)
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 fresh diced chile, or hot pepper flakes, to taste
1-2 teaspoons fresh grated ginger- or to taste
3-4 carrots sliced into matchsticks
3 tablespoons molasses
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
Sea salt, to taste
1 12-oz. bag of baby spinach leaves
2 tablespoons each of fresh chopped parsley, mint and cilantro

Medium

Directions

1. For Meatballs:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with a reusable Exopat or Silpat. Or double up baking sheets and line the upper pan with parchment paper.

2. In a large mixing bowl, break apart and blend the ground organic free-range turkey with the gluten-free bread crumbs, using a sturdy metal spoon. Add in the diced spring onion, processed carrot, minced garlic, grated ginger, and fresh herbs. Mix just until blended. Add in the fresh lime juice, molasses (or wheat-free tamari), agave. Mix lightly. Season with salt and pepper as you go- but don't add too much salt- especially if you use tamari sauce, which is already salty.

3. Form 28 meatballs using the palms of your hands to roll and round spoonfuls of the mixture. They should be roughly the size of a golf ball. Place the turkey meatballs on the lined baking sheet as you roll them. Wash your hands in hot soapy water- you know this, right?

4. Bake the meatballs in the center of a pre-heated oven for about 20 to 30 minutes until no longer pink inside. Place the baking sheet on a cooling rack and brush them with a little olive oil.

5. Serve immediately with Asian style noodles, recipe follows.

6. For Noodles:
Bring a pasta pot of water to a rapid boil. Add a dash of light olive oil. Add the noodles and stir. Cook the quinoa noodles until they are al dente- firm to the bite- not mushy! 4 to 6 minutes. Don't overcook. I mean it.

7. Meanwhile, heat a tablespoon or two of light olive oil in a large wok style pan or skillet over medium-high heat and add in the spring onions, garlic, chile, ginger, and carrots. Stir-fry until the carrots are tender-crisp. They should be done roughly in 5-6 minutes.

8. Add in the molasses and balsamic vinegar (or if using tamari sauce, use that in place of molasses) and stir to coat. Taste test to see if the carrots need a little salt.

9. Drain the al dente noodles and quickly add them into the wok/skillet mixture, tossing lightly to coat the strands. Add or adjust seasonings to taste.

10. Add in the baby spinach and toss again- just to heat through to barely wilting- not even a minute.

11. Add in half the chopped fresh herbs and toss a bit.

12. Plate the noodles immediately. Add the turkey meatballs.

13. Sprinkle with the remaining fresh herbs.

14. The noodle recipe serves 4, with leftover meatballs.

15. Note: Freeze leftover meatballs for an easy weeknight supper.

16. Read more: http://glutenfreegoddess.blogspot.com/2010/04/turkey-meatballs-with-asian-noodles.html#ixzz1mEPNVCCT

main courses February 13, 2012 04:07