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herby chicken & spinach meatballs

Meatball, meatball, what’s not to like about these mouthfuls of chicken, spinach and a few spices.  The recipe has been taken from many different sources, and my original version is with turkey.  Using ground chicken makes for a moist meatball with the addition of ricotta cheese.  Many meatball recipes use a method of frying but I prefer cooking them in the oven.  Not only is it easier, just scoop onto a baking pan, but they are healthier.

In order to create a more attractive final product, it is important to broil at the end.  This adds a nice brown top and makes them a bit more crispy on the exterior.  You can serve these alone on top of a salad, over a plate of pasta or orzo, in a tomato sauce or even with rice.

Best of all these can be made in advanced and served later.  Any extras can be frozen and used at a later time.  Perfect!

 

herby chicken & spinach meatballs

Meatball, meatball, what’s not to like about these mouthfuls of chicken, spinach and a few spices.  The recipe has been taken from many different sources, and my original version is with turkey.  Using ground chicken makes for a moist meatball with the addition of ricotta cheese.  Many meatball recipes use a method of frying but I prefer cooking them in the oven.  Not only is it easier, just scoop onto a baking pan, but they are healthier.

In order to create a more attractive final product, it is important to broil at the end.  This adds a nice brown top and makes them a bit more crispy on the exterior.  You can serve these alone on top of a salad, over a plate of pasta or orzo, in a tomato sauce or even with rice.

Best of all these can be made in advanced and served later.  Any extras can be frozen and used at a later time.  Perfect!

 

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Ingredients

Recipe serves: 6-8
2 cups cooked spinach, about 1 pound fresh spinach
1/2 large onion, finely chopped
4 garlic cloves, finely chopped
1-2 tablespoon olive oil
1 1/2 pounds ground chicken (slightly less than 1 kg)
2 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoon ground pepper
zest of 1/2 small lemon
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
1 Serrano chili, finely chopped- less if you don't want heat or omit altogether
1 egg, beaten
3/4 cup panko bread crumbs, more if using milk
1/2 cup ricotta cheese, can also use heavy cream or milk but may need to add more breadcrumbse
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thoughts&stories

 

With  meatballs, it is often difficult to get seasoning (salt and pepper) correct.  Sometimes, I cook a tablespoon size meatball in a saute pan, taste it and adjust salt and pepper and the other seasonings.

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herby chicken & spinach meatballs
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  • time
    1 hour
  • serves
    6
  • skill level
    Medium

Ingredients

  • 2 cups cooked spinach, about 1 pound fresh spinach
  • 1/2 large onion, finely chopped
  • 4 garlic cloves, finely chopped
  • 1-2 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 1/2 pounds ground chicken (slightly less than 1 kg)
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground pepper
  • zest of 1/2 small lemon
  • 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
  • 1 Serrano chili, finely chopped- less if you don't want heat or omit altogether
  • 1 egg, beaten
  • 3/4 cup panko bread crumbs, more if using milk
  • 1/2 cup ricotta cheese, can also use heavy cream or milk but may need to add more breadcrumbse

Directions

1
Done

Preheat oven to 350F (175C).
2
Done

Blanch the fresh spinach by plunging leaves a handful at a time into a pot of boiling water. Leave just long enough to wilt, about 30 seconds, then drain in a colander. You can leave to cool or run under water but be sure to squeeze out any extra water. If using frozen spinach, follow directions on the package.
3
Done

Add a little olive oil to medium sauté pan over low heat. Mix in the onions and cook for 3 minutes until slightly soft.
4
Done

Roughly chop cooled spinach and place into pan and cook another 3-4 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for 2 minutes. Set aside and allow to cool slightly.
5
Done

Place ground chicken into a large mixing bowl. Add in the cooled spinach mixture, salt and pepper, lemon zest, spices, chili, egg, bread crumbs and ricotta. Mix together until everything is well incorporated. I start with a spoon and then continue to mix with hands.
6
Done

With an ice cream scoop or large soup spoon, form meatballs and place on a large baking tray. They do not spread out when cooking, allowing you to place close together.
7
Done

Bake for 25-30 minutes.

8
Done

Put oven on broil and brown for 5 minutes, take out flip each over and broil for another 5 minutes. Make sure you watch as browning.
9
Done

Serve with a salad, on top of orzo or over pasta pesto click here ) , or with a tomato sauce click here )

10
Done

You can prepare these up to two to three hours in advance and then heat up in a pasta sauce.

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