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NurseLau84
10-25-2008, 02:30 PM
Hey everyone! I am an Italian woman and absolutely love Italian food....but we all know it is not kind to the waistline :D So here is my own recipe for spaghetti and meatballs that is low fat, high protein and very delicious. (My husband said they are even better than the traditional ones!(

Meatballs:
One package of lean ground turkey (I use Perdue brand, about 1.3 lbs)
1 egg (I use organic eggs, but any large grade A will do)
1 tsp salt, and 1 to 2 tsp pepper
1 clove minced garlic
1/4 cup fresh finely chopped basil
1 tbs thyme (fresh or dried)
1 tbs oregano
1 tsp paprika
1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
2 shakes of worcester sauce
3 tbs ketchup
1 cup italian breadcrumbs

Set oven to 400 degrees. Mix all of the ingredients together in a bowl until well incorporated. Roll into balls (not too big) and set on a nonstick baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil and bake for about 18 - 20 minutes or until cooked through. Do not overcook, you want them to be tender!

Sauce:
*You can use your favorite jarred sauce, or use my simple homemade recipe:
Set a pot (med to large size) on the stovetop and put on low-med heat. Drizzle a few tablespoons of olive oil into the pot, then add in 2-3 cloves of minced garlic and 1/2 of a medium vidalia onion (also minced). Let the onion, garlic and olive oil cook for a few minutes, just until the onions become translucent and soft.
Add in 1 can of crushed tomatoes, 1 can of tomato puree and 1.5 small cans of tomato paste. Stir together in the pot with the oil, onions and garlic and put heat on low.
Add 1/2 cup of your favorite red wine.
1 tsp salt
2-3 tsp pepper
1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
oregano/italian seasoning to taste
1 sprig of rosemary (remove before serving)

Let simmer for 10 to 15 minutes on low heat.

Boil water for pasta, and add a box of Barilla Plus (Rotini, Penne or whatever shape you like). I like this brand because it is made with wheat and has lots of protein in it.

When pasta is done (al dente is usually best), drain and then add meatballs and sauce.
Enjoy!

KMS
10-25-2008, 09:39 PM
I used to always use turkey to make meatballs! Once I started doing that I never made them any other way. And wine in pasta sauce is a must for me. It adds such depth! :D

NurseLau84
10-25-2008, 09:42 PM
Yep! Wine is great in so many sauces.......ok now I'm drooling:D

EarlyBird
10-25-2008, 10:46 PM
i too am an italian that LOOOVES italian food and loves cooking it. i have another recipe for you "italian" lovers that is a healthier version of the "fried zuchinni" dish you get as an appetizer.


I dont take the skin off but i know alot of people do. I cut the zuchinni in half, then i cut them into strips (i like them in thinner strips)


egg whites, salt pepper and oregano to taste, mix it up in the bowl, dip the strips in there. then

Take some light breadcrumbs, add whatever seasoning you like to it (i just use some oregano, parsley and thyme, sometimes i add some garlic powder)

dip the egg soaked pieces in there and coat in breadcrumbs

then put on a pan and put in the oven at least 15 minutes (or until it is to the texture that you like and browned, i kep them in there for 30 minutes cuz i like the crispier pieces)

they dont taste EXACTLY like the fried version but of course, i love it :)

hope you dont mind me stealing your thread a little bit.


also, just a side note, i ALWAYS oven bake my meatballs for sauce, and i dont like ground turkey by itself so i use half lean beef and half lean turkey :)
i was told by a chef the combination of oven baking the meatballs and using half and half is saving a little of the fat.
I bake my on a BROIL pan, it allows the grease to drop to the bottom and not saturate the meat :)

NurseLau84
10-25-2008, 11:03 PM
Yum! That recipe sounds great. I love any veggie!

EarlyBird
10-25-2008, 11:27 PM
Yum! That recipe sounds great. I love any veggie!


yah, its very very good b/c it packs in some flavor along with that crunchy outside and warm juicy inside :) yum.. im craving some of these

BarceloMayaPalaceBride
10-26-2008, 11:32 AM
YUMMY! Thanks for the recipies ladies! Spaghetti and meatballs is my favorite food in the world! I think I could eat it everyday. The homemade sauce I make is very similar to your recipie, except I actually use the ground turkey IN the sauce to make it a meat sauce! I will have to make meatballs the next time I cook this. (which might be later today because I am now craving it lol)

NurseLau84
10-26-2008, 12:25 PM
I could eat it every day too!!!!!! I told my husband that for our 5 year anniversary I want to go to Italy and eat to my hearts content..LOL!

BarceloMayaPalaceBride
10-26-2008, 01:38 PM
My sister and I went to Italy a few years back and I LOVED it SO MUCH!!! I told my FI we have to go in the next 5 years because I can't wait any longer than that for the wonderful food. I love your cake btw ;)

EarlyBird
10-26-2008, 04:50 PM
i broke down, the sauce is on the stove.. gotta be honest though. this isnt the low cal, low fat version. :)

EarlyBird
10-26-2008, 06:48 PM
thought i would jump in here and tell you that my sauce is cooking perfectly. yum
Also thought i would let you know something else i do while cooking sauce.. Its a little "different" but i love it.

Once the sauce has cooked a bit, i take about a quarter of it and put it in a differnt pot, add thick slices of onions and add more diced tomatos and paste.. i make it very thick, sometimes add some flour, i let it cook as long as the sauce.. I also add ALOT more chopped meat then i would with regular meat sauce. This is my version of chili. I DONT like regular chili with beans and stuff so this is perfect for me :) thats what ill be having for lunch tomorrow

NurseLau84
10-28-2008, 10:17 AM
That sounds great!!!!!! I don't like beans either...too chalky