Florentine Meatballs

Ingredients

  • 1 box frozen spinach, defrosted in the microwave
  • 1 1/3 pound (1 package) ground turkey breast
  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped, divided
  • 3 cloves garlic, chopped
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 3/4 cups milk, divided
  • 3/4 cup bread crumbs, 3 handfuls
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano, 2 palm fulls
  • Coarse salt and black pepper
  • Extra-virgin olive oil, for drizzling
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup chicken stock
  • 1 (10-ounce) sack shredded provolone or blend of Italian cheeses, available on dairy aisle
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg, eyeball it
  • 1/4 cup parsley leaves, chopped

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
  2. Wring defrosted spinach dry in a clean kitchen towel. Place turkey in a bowl and make a well in the middle of it. Add the spinach, all but 3 tablespoons of the onion, all of the garlic, 1 large egg, about 1/4 cup milk, bread crumbs, grated Parmesan, salt and pepper. Mix well. Form into 12 large balls and drizzle with extra-virgin olive oil. Arrange on a nonstick cookie sheet and roast 20 minutes, or until cooked through.
  3. While balls are in the oven, heat a small sauce pot over medium heat. Add a drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil and 2 tablespoons butter. Melt butter, add remaining finely chopped onion and cook 2 minutes then whisk in flour. Cook flour 1 minute, then whisk in 1 1/2 cups milk and 1 cup stock. Bring liquid up to a boil then stir in shredded provolone or blended Italian cheeses. Season the sauce with salt, pepper and nutmeg, turn heat to lowest setting.
  4. Place 3 balls on dinner plates and top with sauce, garnish with parsley.

Recipe courtesy of Food Network