{Recipe} Turkey Meatballs in Red Pepper Sauce

Makes: 24 meatballs

This Turkey Meatballs in Red Pepper Sauce Recipe is very versatile. You can use the sauce recipe with other dishes or serve the meatballs with a different kind of sauce. To keep this meal healthy and low GI, serve these Turkey Meatballs in Red Pepper Sauce over healthy grains such as quinoa or buckwheat, or with roasted vegetables.

Ingredients

• 2 Tbsp olive oil
• 1/2 medium onion, thinly sliced
• 1/2 cup chicken broth
• 1/4 cup white vinegar
• 1 Tbsp coconut sugar (or healthy alternative)
• 1 Tbsp red paprika
• 1/2 Tbsp garlic powder
• 4 large red bell peppers, cored and chopped into large chunks
• salt and pepper to taste

• 1 1/2 pound ground turkey
• 2 Tbsp tomato paste
• 1 free range egg
• 1/4 cup bread crumbs (use gluten free if desired)
• 1/2 Tbsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp salt

Instructions

1. In a medium pot, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion starts to caramelize, for about 6 minutes.
2. Add the chicken broth, white vinegar, sugar, red paprika and garlic powder. Mix to combine and add the bell pepper. Stir so that the bell pepper is covered in the broth and spices. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat. Cover and cook for 40 minutes until the pepper is soft.
3. Puree the peppers using an immersion blender or transfer the peppers into a kitchen processor and blend until smooth. (I prefer a food processor, I think it does a better job. On the other hand, an immersion blender is more convenient).
4. Taste the sauce and season with salt and pepper if desired.
5. In the meantime, preheat the oven to 400F.
6. Place the ground turkey in a bowl. Add the tomato paste, egg, bread crumbs, garlic powder and salt. Mix well to combine.
7. Using a tablespoon or your hands, scoop the turkey mixture and form it into small meatballs. Place the meatballs on a baking sheet setting them 1 inch apart. Bake the meatballs for about 20 minutes or until cooked through.
8. Transfer the meatballs into the sauce. Bring to a simmer and turn off the heat.