HEALTHY Bomb 'Balls

Last week I wrote about some bomb meatballs--lusciously stuffed with mozzarella cheese.  But since it is crunch time for muffin-top-/blub-/love-handle- (whatever you want to call it!) busting, a slimmed-down version of bomb 'balls is definitely called for.  As you know, substituting beef with turkey is a key component in making the old switcharoo from full-fat to lean.  So, although these balls are not filled with oozing fresh mozzarella, they are incredible nonetheless. And you can actually feel good about eating them! 

  Bomb Turkey Meatballs:

1 lb ground turkey (light and/or dark meat)

1/2 yellow onion, finely diced

1 1/2 cloves garlic, minced

1/2 cup italian breadcrumbs

zest of 1/2 lemon

1/4 cup parsley, finely chopped

1 1/2 tablespoons basil, chopped

1 tablespoon fresh rosemary, finely chopped

1 tablespoon fresh thyme, finely chopped

1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes

1 egg, beaten

3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

salt and pepper to taste

1 1/2-2 jars of the tomato sauce of your choice

Cook the onions in 1 tablespoon of the oil in a large saucepan on medium heat for about 8 minutes. Add the garlic, red pepper flakes, salt and pepper and cook for another 2 minutes, stirring occasionally.  Let the onion mixture cool. Once it has cooled, in a large bowl combine the onion mixture with the ground turkey, egg, lemon zest, rosemary, thyme, basil and parsley with your hands.  Form into golf-ball sized balls. Brown the meatballs in the remaining olive oil (in batches, if necessary, not to overcrowd the pan) which should take about 5 minutes. Once they have all been browned, put the meatballs into the simmering tomato sauce and cook for 30 minutes shaking the pot occasionally to toss the balls around. Serve by themselves in the sauce or with pasta. 

All of the fresh herbs make these balls delectably tasty. What they lack in fat, they make up for in flavor, and that makes me so happy! Seriously, they are so pleasing that you will have no idea you're actually eating really well. This dish will fill you UP in all the right ways without filling you OUT!

Moral of the story? These balls are fit for a speedo.