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Turkey and Apple Meatballs with Chinese Five-Spice
Serves 7
The apple in these turkey meatballs might not be immediately visible, but it’s working behind the scenes to help bind them together and adds sweet flavour and juiciness. Chinese five-spice powder—a blend of star anise, ground fennel seeds, Sichuan peppercorns, cloves, and cinnamon—lends lively flavour, alongside ginger and garlic. Packed full of protein, these meaty bites are a good source of vitamin D and iron and make for a tasty party appetizer.
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Ingredients
- 1 lb (450 g) lean ground turkey
- 1 cup (250 mL) grated apple with skin (2 apples)
- 2 Tbsp (30 mL) hempseeds
- 2 Tbsp (30 mL) chopped chives
- 1 Tbsp (15 mL) Chinese five-spice powder
- 1 tsp (1 mL) garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp (2 mL) black pepper
- 2 tsp (10 mL) sesame oil + 2 Tbsp (30 mL) for frying
- 1 1/2 tsp (7 mL) sodium-reduced tamari or soy sauce
- 1 organic egg
Nutrition
Per serving:
- calories 253
- protein 22 g
-
total fat
16 g
- sat. fat 2 g
-
total carbohydrates
9 g
- sugars 5 g
- fibre 2 g
- sodium 153 mg
Directions
01
To large bowl, add turkey, grated apple, hempseeds, chives, five-spice powder, garlic powder, black pepper, 2 tsp (10 mL) sesame oil, tamari, and egg and work together lightly with fork, until just combined. Form 28 meatballs (see tip) and place them on parchment-lined baking tray.
02
To cook, preheat oven to 375 F (190 C). On stovetop, in medium-sized skillet, heat 1 Tbsp (5 mL) sesame oil on high heat. Brown meatballs in skillet, in 3 or 4 batches, 30 seconds on each side, and then remove to parchment-lined baking tray. (Add remaining oil as necessary between batches).
03
Continue baking meatballs in preheated oven for 8 to 10 minutes, turning once during cooking time. Remove from oven, cover with another baking tray or tent with stainless steel bowl, and allow to rest for 3 minutes. Serve on toothpicks.
