January 25: Florentine Meatballs

1 10-ounce box frozen spinach, defrosted

2 packages (2 to 2 2/3 pounds) ground turkey breast

1 medium onion, finely chopped

3 garlic cloves, chopped

1 large egg

1 ¾ cups milk

¾ cup bread crumbs

½ cup grated Parmesan Cheese

   Coarse salt and coarse black pepper

   Extra-virgin olive oil, for drizzling

2 tablespoons unsalted butter

2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

1 cup chicken stock or broth

1 10-ounce sack shredded Provolone cheese or blend of Italian cheeses

½ teaspoon freshly grated or ground nutmeg

   A generous handful of chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley

   Green salad

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.

Wring the defrosted spinach dry in a clean kitchen towel.

Place the turkey in a large bowl and make a well in the center. Add the spinach, all but 3 tablespoons of the onions, all of the garlic, the egg, about ¼ cup of the milk, the bread crumbs, grated Parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper.

Form into 12 large balls and drizzle with EVOO.

Arrange on a nonstick cookie sheet and bake for 20 minutes.

While the meatballs are in the oven, heat a small sauce pot over medium heat. Add a drizzle of EVOO and the butter. When the butter is melted, add the reserved 3 tablespoons of chopped onions and cook for 2 minutes.

Whisk in the flour and cook for 1 minute, then whisk in the remaining 1 ½ cups of milk and the cup of stock.

Bring to a boil, then stir in the shredded cheese. Season the sauce with salt, pepper, and nutmeg; turn the heat to the lowest setting and stir until the cheese melts. Keep warm.

Place 2 meatballs on each dinner plate and top with sauce, then garnish with parsley. Serve with the green salad.

6 SERVINGS

This is really a delicious meal and a good way to cook ground turkey. I did change a few things. First of all, I changed the serving size to 2 instead of 3 meatballs. So, it would be 6 servings instead of 4. They're very big! Second, I changed Parmigiano-Reggiano to Parmesan. It's so much cheaper. Third, I added that you could use ground nutmeg instead of freshly grated. Fourth, I added the salad to the ingredient list, so I wouldn't forget about it. When she says to serve with a salad beforehand, I always tend to miss that part. My whole family really likes this meal.