A fun twist on the comfort food classic, your family will love these naturally gluten free Lebanese meatballs seasoned with cinnamon, all-spice and toasted pine nuts.
January is half-way over, how are you feeling? Are you stayinghydrated? Getting enough exercise? Beating those winter blues?
Look, I’m not going to kid you. Change isn’t easy. We are habitual creaturesand stepping out of our comfort zone isn’t always in our nature but I urge you to stay focused. After all, it only takes 6 weeks to form a habit sostay the course. Trust the process.
Ever since having Jacob, who turns into a pumpkin by 6:46PM every night like clockwork, the slow cooker has becomemy saving grace. I know I used it a lot after having Asher but with two toddlers I use it more than ever before.
On a perfect day, we spend a couple of hours at the gym in the morning and then I putdinner in the slow cooker while they are eating lunch (ideally oneI prepped ahead on the weekend.) This symphonic harmony doesn’t always happen but with a little planning and thought, it happens more often than not.
If you love traditional Italian meatballs, I know you’ll love this Lebanese inspired version scented with warm cinnamon, all spice and toasted pine nuts. They don’t have any bread crumbs so they are naturally gluten free and low carb.
Serve withbulgur wheat or Lebanese Rice Pilaf and a giant Lebanese Green Salad dressed withplenty of za’atar, garlic and fresh lemon juice. ParentTip: If you stir in a bit ofcucumber yogurt sauceor plain yogurt, the meatballs will cool down right away so your hungry monsters don’t burn their little tongues.
Don’t forget, it only takes 6 weeks to create a life-forming habit. Each day, make a few good decisions then do it again tomorrow.
Stay the course. Trust the process. You’ve got this.
Your fork is waiting.
Slow Cooker Lebanese Meatballs
4.50 stars average
Your family will love these naturally gluten-free Lebanese meatballs seasoned with cinnamon, all-spice, and toasted pine nuts.
PREP: 1 hour hr
COOK: 4 hours hrs
TOTAL: 5 hours hrs
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ServingsServes: 8
Ingredients
Instructions
Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees and spread pine nuts out in a single layer on a baking sheet. Bake until pine nuts are toasted, 5-6 minutes; set aside.
Keep the oven heated to 350 while you prepare the meatballs.
Using a food processor, pulse together ground turkey, 1/2 of the onion (about 1/2 cup diced), parsley and 1/2 of the All Purpose Lebanese Spice Blend (2 tablespoons) until smooth. If you have trouble getting the mixture to combine, add one or two tablespoons of ice water while pulsing.
Line two baking sheets with foil and spray with non-stick cooking spray. Scoop the meatballs using a small cooking scoop and divide evenly between both trays. Bake until half-way cooked, about 10 minutes.
Place partially-cooked meatballs in the slow cooker and add in toasted pine nuts, remaining 1/2 cup diced onion, remaining 2 tablespoons All Purpose Lebanese Spice Blend, tomato puree and crushed tomatoes. Stir once to combine then cover and heat on Low for 8 hours or High for 4 hours.
Serve over Lebanese Rice Pilaf with a dollop of plain yogurt on top.
Last Step:
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Notes
If you don’t want to make the All Purpose Lebanese Spice Blend, simply use 1 tablespoon of salt and 2 tablespoons of cinnamon.
Nutrition
Calories: 330kcalCarbohydrates: 27.4gProtein: 27.7gFat: 14.6gSaturated Fat: 3.7gPolyunsaturated Fat: 10.9gCholesterol: 82mgSodium: 1006mgFiber: 6.2gSugar: 14.3g
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Hi, I’m Liz!
Hey there, I’m Liz Della Croce and I’m thrilled to have you here! My aim is to motivate and ignite your passion for cooking amazing meals for your loved ones. I believe in the power of real, wholesome ingredients that are bursting with flavor and won’t break the bank. Whether it’s a traditional Lebanese recipe from my family or a culinary creation from across the globe, you’ll be pleasantly surprised to discover that nutritious food can be exciting, affordable, and easy to prepare.
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