Baked Ground Turkey Meatballs with Peanut Cilantro "Pesto"
Theses meatballs are loaded with so much flavor and seasoned with Asian spices and umami ingredients. They are quickly sauteed for a golden crust, then baked in the oven. The Crunchy Peanut Cilantro "Pesto" sauce elevates the flavor to even higher levels. I served these with butter lettuce-- though the would be equally good over rice.
Course Appetizer, main
Cuisine American, Asian
Keyword meatballs, turkey meatballs
Prep Time 15 minutesminutes
Cook Time 18 minutesminutes
Total Time 33 minutesminutes
Servings 8meatballs
Author Debby - www.AFeastfortheEyes.net
Equipment
Food processor with blade attachment
oven-proof skillet
Ingredients
1poundsground turkeyor ground chicken
2clovesgarlicminced
2tspfresh gingergrated or minced
4scallionsthinly sliced
1tspground coriander
2Tbspfish sauce
2tsplow-sodium soy sauceor Tamari
2Tbspfresh mintfinely chopped
4Tbspcilantrofinely chopped
2Tbspolive oilextra virgin
2lime wedgesto serve
kosher saltto taste
ground pepperto taste
Bibb lettuceseparated, to serve (or rice)
For the Peanut Cilantro sauce:
1/4cuproasted unsalted peanuts
1clove garlicsliced (NOTE: use a small clove, if you don't want really strong garlic flavor)
1cup Cilantro leaves and stems
1/4cupolive oilextra virgin
Instructions
Preheat oven to 425F
In a large bowl, combine the ground turkey (or chicken), garlic, ginger, scallions, coriander, fish sauce, soy (or Tamari) sauce, mint and cilantro. Give the ingredient a gentle, but thorough stir, to combine.
For 8 meatballs and lightly season with salt and pepper.
Place a saute pan over medium heat and add the 2 tablespoons of olive oil.
Add the meatballs and sear on all sides until golden brown-- 2-3 minutes.
Place the skillet into the oven and bake the meatballs for 10 minutes.
For the Peanut Cilantro Sauce:
To the bowl of food processor, add the blade attachment. Add the peanuts, garlic and cilantro. Pulse until the mixture is combine and a coarse crumb. Add the olive oil over the top until just combined. (You want chunky texture)
Season with salt and pepper
To serve:
Place the meatballs on a plate. Add a spoonful of Peanut Cilantro sauce onto each meatball.Optional: Place a meatball on each Bibb lettuce cup.
Notes
Recipe source: Very slightly adapted from Michael Symon, as seen on the TV Show "The Good Dish".One serving = 3 meatballs Weight Watchers 2025 points 5 per serving.