Turkey Mince Meatballs Jamie Oliver Recipes

MEATBALLS & PASTA

Steps:

• Wrap the crackers in a tea towel and smash up until fine, breaking up any big bits with your hands, then tip into a large bowl.
• Pick and finely chop the rosemary, then add to the bowl with the mustard, minced meat and oregano.
• Crack the egg into the bowl, then add a good pinch of sea salt and black pepper.
• With clean hands, scrunch and mix everything up well. Divide into 4 large and balls, then with wet hands divide each ball into 6 and roll into little meatballs - you should end up with 24.
• Place the meatballs onto a plate, drizzle with oil and jiggle about to coat, then cover and place in the fridge until needed - this will help to firm them up.
• Pick the basil leaves, keeping any smaller ones to one side for later. Peel and finely chop the onion and the garlic, and trim and finely slice or crumble the chilli.
• Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a large frying pan over a medium heat, add the onion and cook for 7 minutes, or until softened and lightly golden.
• Add the garlic and chilli, and as soon as they start to get some colour add the large basil leaves.
• Tip in the the tomatoes, breaking them up with the back of a spoon, then add the balsamic vinegar, and season to taste. Bring to the boil, then reduce to a simmer until needed, stirring regularly.
• Meanwhile, heat 1 tablespoon of oil in another large frying pan over a medium heat, add the meatballs and cook for 8 to 10 minutes, or until cooked through, turning regularly To check if they're cooked, cut one opening - there should be no sign of pink.
• Once cooked, add the meatballs to the sauce and simmer while you cook the pasta.
• Cook the pasta in boiling salted water according to the packet instructions, then drain, reserving a mugful of cooking water. Return the pasta to the pan.
• Spoon half the tomato sauce over the pasta and toss together, adding a little splash of reserved cooking water to loosen, if needed
• Transfer to a large platter or divide between bowls, serving the remaining sauce and meatballs on top. Add a fine grating of Parmesan and scatter over the reserved basil, then tuck in.

TURKEY MEATBALLS IN TOMATO SAUCE

Steps:

• Put the peeled onion and celery into a processor and blitz to a mush. Or you can chop as finely as humanly possible by hand. Reserve 2 tablespoons for the meatball mixture.
• Warm the garlic flavoured oil in a heavy saucepan or Dutch oven, add the onion and celery mixture, along with the thyme, and cook at moderate to low heat, stirring every now and again, for about 10 minutes.
• Add the cans of tomato, filling up each empty can with water to add to the pan. Season with the sugar, salt and pepper, stir and then leave to come to a bubble, and then turn down to let it simmer gently while you get on with the meatballs.
• Put all the ingredients for the meatballs, including the reserved chopped onion and celery, and salt according to preference, into a large bowl and mix together, gently, with your hands, wearing disposable vinyl gloves if you feel so inclined. Don't over-mix, as that will make the meatballs dense-textured and heavy.
• When all the meatball ingredients are not too officiously amalgamated, start rolling. The easiest way really to do this is to pinch out an amount about the size of a generously heaped teaspoon and roll into a bowl between the palms of your hands. Put the meatballs on a baking tray, lined with baking parchment or greaseproof paper, as you go. You should get about 50 little meatballs.
• Drop these gently into the simmering sauce; I try and let these fall in concentric circles working around the pan from the outside edge inwards, in only the vaguest of fashions.
• Let the meatballs cook for 30 minutes, until cooked through. Serve with rice or pasta or however you so please.

SPICY MEATBALLS

Steps:

• Heat oven to 180C/fan 160C/gas 4.
• Put the mince into the mixing bowl. Add the onions, garlic, curry powder, cumin, garam masala, paprika or cayenne pepper and coriander, then mix well. By adding these spices, you'll get a delicious flavour without having to add any salt.
• Add the beaten egg and breadcrumbs, then mix again.
• Divide the meat mixture into 15-18 evensized pieces and shape into balls (they should be about the size of a walnut). Always wash your hands thoroughly after handling raw meat so you don't transfer any germs that may be on the meat to other food or equipment.
• Heat the oil in the frying pan over a medium heat and add the meatballs using a spoon. Cook them for 5 mins, turning until golden brown. Remove from the pan and place them on to the tray. Bake in the oven for 15-20 mins.
• Remove from the oven. Remember to use oven gloves! Allow to cool slightly and serve with a fresh, crisp green salad, some pitta bread and tomato salsa.

TURKEY MEATBALLS IN OLIVE & COURGETTE SAUCE

Steps:

• Mix the first 4 ingredients together in a bowl and season generously. Roll into 12 meatballs.
• Heat half the oil in a large frying pan. Pop in the meatballs and brown all over. Remove from the pan and set aside. Add the rest of the oil and tip in the courgettes and garlic. Cook for 3 mins to soften. Pour in the chopped tomatoes, plus half a carton of water and the meatballs. Simmer for a further 15-20 mins, or until the meatballs are cooked through and the sauce has really thickened.
• Meanwhile, cook the pasta following pack instructions. Drain and mix with a few tbsp of the tomato sauce to coat. Top with the meatballs and remaining sauce. Sprinkle with Parmesan and serve.

HEALTHY TURKEY MEATBALLS

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a large non-stick frying pan with a lid, then tip in the onion, carrots, celery, garlic and fennel, and stir well. Cover the pan and cook over a medium heat for 8 mins, stirring every now and then. Pour in the passata and stock, cover and leave to simmer for 20 mins.
• Meanwhile, tip the mince into a large bowl. Add the oats, fennel seeds and leaves, the garlic and plenty of black pepper, and mix in with your hands. Lightly shape into 25 meatballs about the size of a walnut. Spray or rub a non-stick pan with a little oil and gently cook the meatballs until they take on a little colour. Give the sauce a stir, then add the meatballs and parsley. Cover and cook for 10 mins until they are cooked through and the veg in the sauce is tender. Serve with broccoli and baby potatoes in their skins, or pasta and salad.