Cranberry & Apple GlazedTurkey Meatballs

 

This was the Thanksgiving weekend back in Canada.  I can never celebrate it properly at the right time of year because it is impossible to get a whole turkey here in the U.K. without paying an arm and a leg for it at this time of year, if you can get one at all.  

A month makes all the difference in the world.  Were it November, I would be able to get one quite easily. I don't really understand that as in the U.K. Thanksgiving isn't even a holiday!

 

I suppose what I should do is buy an extra one at Christmas or Easter and have it in the freezer, but I never think to do that, and again, its just an added expense at a time of the year when we can ill afford it!

 

One thing that is very common here, all year round however are other cuts of turkey. Turkey steaks, Turkey cubes.  Turkey breast fillets, ground turkey  . . .  sliced cooked turkey.

You name it, just no whole turkeys.  It is what it is!  I quite like turkey myself and enjoy it in any way shape or form.

 

Today I decided to make some meatballs using some ground turkey.  This is a fabulous ground turkey recipe. It has all of the flavors of Thanksgiving in it, without all of the faffing about.

Tender and juicy meatballs, in a delicious sweet and tangy sauce?  Count me in!

 

WHAT YOU NEED TO MAKE CRANBERRY & APPLE GLAZED TURKEY MEATBALLS

Some fairly simple ingredients. You know me, I don't do complicated or faffy if I can possibly help it!

For the meatballs:

• 1 pound of lean ground turkey
• 1/3 cup (45g) dried cranberries, chopped
• 1 tart apple, peeled and grated
• 1/2 cup (60g) dry bread crumbs 
• 1 large free range egg, beaten
• 1 tsp each onion granules and dried sage
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper

For the sauce:

• 1 cup (280g) whole berry cranberry sauce 
• 1/4 cup (2 dessert spoons) of unsweetened applesauce 
• 2 TBS balsamic vinegar
• 2 TBS pure maple syrup
• 1 TBS orange juice
• the finely grated zest of one orange

 

I try to use lean ground turkey if I can.  That's because I am always trying to watch my fat intake. You can certainly use any kind of ground turkey that you want.  You could even use ground pork, chicken or beef for that matter!  All would work well.

Try to chop the cranberries fairly fine. You want to hold the meatballs together and if the chunks of berries are too large that might compromise that.  Also do grate the apple, don't chop it. Use a good cooking type of apple.  A cooking apple is tart  to the taste and doesn't generally hold its shape when cooked.

 

If you prefer a smoother sauce, by all means use jellied cranberry sauce rather than the whole berry.  I like this sauce either way.  Its fabulously delicious!

I could eat it with a spoon.  Its good with pork chops also, or any kind of chicken.

 

HOW TO MAKE CRANBERRY & APPLE GLAZED TURKEY MEATBALLS

These are not hard to make at all. Just stir the meatball ingredients together, shape and bake. While they are baking you can make that tasty sauce/glaze.

Preheat the oven to 220*C/425*F/ gas mark 7.  Line a baking tray with baking paper and lightly oil the paper.

Mix the ground turkey together with the bread crumbs, egg, all of the seasonings and spices, the grated apple and the chopped dried cranberries, until well combined.  Shape into meatballs using a light touch.  Try not to compact them too much.  Place them into a single layer on the baking sheet.

Bake in the preheated oven for 12 to 15 minutes, until golden brown and cooked through. The juices should run clear.

 

While the meatballs are cooking make the sauce by combining all of the ingredients in a saucepan, whisking until heated through and well combined.  

Add the cooked meatballs, turning to coat them in the sauce. Transfer to a serving platter and garnish with some chopped parsley if desired.  Serve hot.

 

If you are serving these as an appetizer you might want to double the sauce ingredients so that there is plenty to go around.

You might want to double it anyways.  Your family is going to absolutely love it!  Sweet, tangy and delicious!

 

I am always surprised when a few simple ingredients are put together and come out so fabulously tasty.  Here we have a bit of unsweetened applesauce  . . .  some Balsamic vinegar for a tang . . .  orange juice, maple syrup and some finely grated orange zest.

The end result is phenomenal. There is no other word to describe it!

 

The sauce is so delicious you will want to eat it with a spoon, but please don't!  You need it for the meatballs!

Together these are incredibly delicious. You can make them ahead of time and keep them warm in a slow cooker on low for several hours.  You decide. Or in a chafing dish if you are serving them as an appetizer.

  

Ground turkey is such a versatile ingredient. Some other recipes here in The English Kitchen which use Ground Turkey are:

MEATBALLS WITH A LEMON GARLIC BUTTER SAUCE -   A small batch recipe for some turkey meatballs that is not only delicious but low-carb as well. These are loaded with beautiful fresh flavors and topped with a simple garlic and herb butter sauce.  If you are truly low-carbing it you could enjoy them with some cauliflower rice or an assortment of vegetables.  

TURKEY TACO SALAD - Dead simple from start to finish with an edible tortilla bowl and a juicy spicy ground turkey filling with all of the fixings that you would expect in a taco salad.  A bit healthier than a beef taco salad I dare say!  A whole lot of healthy tastiness!

Yield: Makes about 2 dozen

Author: Marie Rayner

Cranberry & Apple Turkey Meatballs

Sweet and tangy, deliciously moist meatballs. These low fat meatballs make a great main course or a delightful appetiser or nibble.

ingredients:

For the meatballs:

• 1 pound of lean ground turkey
• 45g dried cranberries, chopped
• 1 tart apple, peeled and grated
• 60g dry bread crumbs (1/2 cup)
• 1 large free range egg, beaten
• 1 tsp each onion granules and dried sage
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper

For the sauce:

• 280g whole berry cranberry sauce (1 cup)
• 2 dessert spoons of unsweetened applesauce (1/4 cup)
• 2 TBS balsamic vinegar
• 2 TBS pure maple syrup
• 1 TBS orange juice
• the finely grated zest of one orange

instructions:

How to cook Cranberry & Apple Turkey Meatballs

1. Preheat the oven to 220*C/425*F/ gas mark 7.  Line a baking tray with baking paper and lightly oil the paper.
2. Mix the ground turkey together with the bread crumbs, egg, all of the seasonings and spices, the grated apple and the chopped dried cranberries, until well combined.  Shape into meatballs using a light touch.  Try not to compact them too much.  Place them into a single layer on the baking sheet.
3. Bake in the preheated oven for 12 to 15 minutes, until golden brown and cooked through. The juices should run clear.
4. While the meatballs are cooking make the sauce by combining all of the ingredients in a saucepan, whisking until heated through and well combined.  Add the cooked meatballs, turning to coat them in the sauce. Transfer to a serving platter and garnish with some chopped parsley if desired.  Serve hot.

NOTES:

You can keep these warm in a slow cooker set on low setting.

Created using The Recipes Generator

 

These are also great as a nibble during the holiday season when people do a lot of entertaining. Today we enjoyed them as a main course.  They are pretty tasty no matter how you choose to enjoy them! 

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