Meatballs are the ultimate winter food.
Too bad it’s normally more like spring by now!
With the weather still cold, I prepped a big batch of balls this week. Rather than going the traditional route, I opted for a mustard-laced turkey version.
These Dijon and thyme balls were full of flavor. Because I baked them, they were light enough not to put me to sleep after lunch.
Thyme is a herb that I love but rarely think to use. It retains a fresh flavor even after cooking. It’s pungent but not offensively so. With the spiciness of Dijon, it made for the perfect turkey meatball mix.
Recipe at the bottom of this post.
__________________________________________________________________________________
This WIAW I missed the California warmth, but was happy to reset a bit after all that dining out!
Read on for my eats, and then check out Jenn’s blog for everyone else’s delicious creations!
__________________________________________________________________________________
Breakfast:
My morning cocktail happened, as always. Then I moved on to a savory breakfast with a side of sweetness.
I sautéed some no-salt deli turkey with spinach and then used it for an egg white scramble with cumin, garlic, and cayenne. On the side I had cinnamon-raisin Ezekial bread. I am not a raisin fan, but bought this on impulse… and I LOVE it! The raisins aren’t the dried out nasty kind and made for a delicious morning dessert.
Mid-Morning Snack:
Cod mid-morning? Why not? I at that with a quinoa bake experiment. (More to come on that for Friday’s #strangebutgood link up… any guesses?)
Lunch:
Crab salad. I mixed crab meat with snow peas, nutritional yeast, cayenne, and nutritional yeast and ate it with a pita pocket. I love crab.
There were some unpictured Tagalongs too (chocolate-peanut butter Girl Scout cookies)… #sorryimnotsorry
Afternoon Snack:
Then came the turkey balls! I also grilled a bunch of veggies to go with these. Because I live in a condo, we aren’t allowed grills; however, I’ve been using my grill pan to get an acceptable char for my veggies.
Dinner:
I had a little experiment. I tried to make my cauliflower crust pizza in a pan… it stuck but I just ate it right out of the dish. It made for an easy clean up! Topped with crumbled Dijon Thyme Turkey Meatballs, zucchini, and babaganoush. Topped with #yolkporn and a drizzle of balsamic-fig glaze.
Dessert:
Marshmallow Chocolate Chip Protein Cake. WIth chocolate protein powder and a healthy serving of Nuttzo (a.k.a the best nut butter ever).
__________________________________________________________________________________
Dijon Thyme Turkey Meatballs
- 1 pound lean ground turkey breast
- 2 T oats, loosely ground
- 1 T fresh thyme
- 1 T nutritional yeast
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 C egg white
- 1 T Dijon mustard
- 1/2 tsp pepper
Preheat oven to 350°. Line baking sheet with parchment paper.
In large bowl, combine all ingredients. Shape into 1-1/2-inch meatballs.
Arrange balls on baking sheet. Bake 20 minutes or until cooked through.
Makes 5-6 servings.
***
I’ve actually been cooking this week and have recipes to share. Shocking! 😉
What’s your favorite cold weather food?
Have you fallen victim to Girl Scout cookies this season? It made for an excellent pre-workout fuel. 😉
GiGi Eats Celebrities says
YOU are ALWAYS welcome back to Cali – you have a PLACE TO STAY… Well, as long as you make these those balls… And DO NOT bring Tagalongs into my house lmfao!
Laura says
I swear those Girl Scouts are stalking me! LOL!
Arman @ thebigmansworld says
Oooo I can’t wait for Fridays link up….I have something I’ve been hoping would work…and does. Boom.
Those meatballs look delicious- I LOVE dijon mustard- so underrated!
Angela @ Happy Fit Mama says
Oh girl scout cookies! Just go away! Seriously. I thought we had our obligatory quota then our neighbor came over with 2 boxes that were extras. Of course we had to support the girls some more!
Lucie@FitSwissChick says
Chared veggies and crab – YES!! And I want to try these Turkey Meat balls – I desperately need to change up the way I prepare my chicken, I start to get sick of it, so these are perfect!
Laura says
I was in the same situation! Let me know what you think if you try it!
Cat says
Some nice yolk porn you got going on there! I’m a big fan of stews when it gets cold… but I’m more than happy to move on to some summery foods now!
Kim @ FITsique says
I love meatballs because of how easy they are to pack and add to meals! These look great!
Laura says
Exactly! I loved being able to quickly grab my balls for lunch every day. 😉
Krista @ Tiny n Fit says
This looks so much better than my sad turkey meatloaf I made for lunches…ok next time!! Fav cold weather food- soup or chili! And I def got bamboozled into buying cookies from a coworker…but made them into truffles (recipe on my blog!)
Laura says
I cannot be trusted with Girl Scout truffles… and I’m going to chaco t hat out ASAP. LOL!
Linz @ Itz Linz says
i’ve got a box of thin mints and tagalongs since my students sell girl scout cookies i just HAD to buy a box…. haha
Brittany @ Delights and Delectables says
yum!! can you believe it…. I have been eating Turkey Meatballs!!!! and I LIKE them! making these this weekend!!
Laura says
That’s awesome!!! I bet they are good too keep around with a baby and a job to juggle!
lindsay says
i’ll eat your balls in any season.. okay you know what i mean. But i do love meat balls! i wonder if you can grill them in summer?
Laura says
Hee hee… you’re always welcome to my balls! I don’t have a grill, but I bet that would be delish! I’ll come over to have yours. 😉
Choc Chip Uru says
These meatballs would be a smash hit anywhere, cute balls of super flavour 😀
Love the dijon and thyme combo, so much herb goodness!
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
Laura says
Hahaha – I love that description.:)
Maureen says
I swear I will not make eye contact with the Girl Scouts who are strategically waiting outside my local grocery store to pounce on their next victim. Don’t believe the innocent act….they are deadly! 😉
Laura says
Oh yeah – it’s all part of their evil plan! 😉
Sarena (The Non-Dairy Queen) says
I love a big bowl of chili or vegetable soup when it’s cold out. I’m ready for more of that warm sunshine weather we were having! I need sunshine!!!
Laura says
It better be nice next weekend – I keep telling Sarah and Heather how awesome the park and the Beltline are but it’s been gross every time they come!
Heather (Where's the Beach) says
What is up with winter this year? We have broken so many crazy weather records here. There was snow on the ground Monday morning. I live in the south …. I thought LOL. Chili is my ultimate cold-weather food. YUM
Jody - Fit at 56 says
I LOVE cinnamon-raisin Ezekial bread – yum!!!!
OK< love the balls!!! I use TJs hot & sweet mustard in pretty much everything including my turkey meatloaf so balls would be perfect! 🙂 I also add in garlic powder vs the fresh but not thyme – should that be next? 😉
I have yet to try nutritional yeast but everyone uses it so maybe I should – benefits?
Laura says
Nutritional yeast is great! Vegans say it’s a cheese replacer, but I think it’s more of a nutty taste. It’s one of the best non-animal sources of folic acid and vitamin B-12, and is high in many other minerals and amino acids. Talk about a super food! It’s not like Brewer’s yeast – it’s grown on beets and dehydrated, so it’s free of candida.
Jody - Fit at 56 says
Thx Laura!!!!!
Lee says
Girl Scouts accosted me when I was in downtown Decatur a couple weeks ago. And by accosted, I mean I purposefully walked past their table so I could buy some samoas!
Laura says
Haha – they accosted me at Ansley!
Kaila @healthyhelperblog! says
Love the flavor combo in these! Turkey meatballs are my favorite!
Dietitian Jess says
I’ve actually never had Nutzo but I will trust your recommendation and pick it up next time! Question: your grill pan and the pan you used for cauliflower pizza- were they cast iron? What do you normally use?? I just got a cast iron pan and also some Caphalon non-stick pansa nd pots (wedding shower=score), but I’ve never used nice/more expensive cookware before always my old cheap stuff from college. Any thoughts/recommendations are welcome! Thanks!
Laura says
It’s really pricey, but I swear it’s worth every cent!
The grill pan is a nice non-stick Caphlon that I love. The pizza pan is a crappy only one that I need to throw out. I lost my old cast iron – need to replace it!
Kim says
Those meatballs look awesome!! I don’t always like meatballs but I think the mix of ingredients in these will be great!
I have eaten a LOT of pasta this winter – something about the cold just makes me crave carbs. And, we devoured our Girl Scout cookies in about 2 days – 4 boxes – gone!!!
Laura says
It’s definitely not a traditional meatball, so you may love it!
Liana@RunToMunch says
I love turkey balls! YUm yum! I’m gonna have to try these!
Cassie says
OMG I love all things mustard… it’s bordering on obsession. I might have to grab some ground turkey on the way home… thanks for sharing!
Jess @ JessieBear says
Pinning this! I alllllways forget to use thyme too
Jemma @ Celery and Cupcakes says
You always come up with the most awesome flavour combinations. Love the sound of the meatballs!
Laura says
Thank you! Some people count sheep, I count flavors. 😉
Hannah says
I need to get my ass into gear and make these meatballs on the weekend. Totally ate oatmeal for breakfast and lunch today.
Laura says
Yeah. Get yer ass together. 😛
Kierston says
Your eats always look so yum.
Tara @ Sweat like a Pig says
I’m making meatballs tomorrow! I’ve been dreaming about it all week haha
Laura says
I want to try your balls!
RavieNomNoms says
That looks like an insanely good day of eats! YUM!
I am going to try those turkey meatballs soon. Patrick HATES mustard, so it will have to be when he is out of town. Which is quite often 🙂
Laura says
You scold sneak these past him, I bet! It’s not a strong flavor, just enough to give it some pop.
Purelytwins says
sound yummy! we love mustard, we don’t buy it often. but this past week we did buy some and oh boy we forgot how much we enjoyed it!
Allie says
Even though meatballs are a winter-y food, I’m so glad it’s now SPRING! You can totally post meatballs any time you want, though! Especially with that type of amazing spice combo 🙂
Megan (The Lyons' Share) says
Meatballs look amazing, but I’m currently avoiding mustard and eggs due to food sensitivities (wahh), so they’ll have to linger on Pinterest for a while! I think your bake is quinoa, kalamata olives, tomatoes, tofu .. kind of like a Greek tofu quinoa bake?
Laura says
I have been meaning to go get tested… you post inspired me to re-consider it!
The bake was a Mexican-inspired one. I posted it Friday! 🙂
Meghan@CleanEatsFastFeets says
I actually can make a pretty mean meatball. I usually make them for the Hubby in the fall so he can have meatball subs. Yup, so I’m a vegetarian who has never tried tofu but makes meatballs. Clearly I have issues.
Heather @ Kiss My Broccoli says
Oh man, you had me at dijon! Gimme those balls, woman! I’ve actually been thinking of making some meatballs soon…not sure where the original craving came from, but I’ve got a couple of #strangebutgood ideas that I want to play around with! And well, now that I finally feel like I”m getting a smidgen of my kitchen mojo back, maybe I’ll actually make them instead of just saying I will! 😉
Proud to report I have not had a SINGLE girl scout cookie this year! I even turned down a Thin Mint a week or so ago…because I was offered the last one…please, everyone knows you can never have just ONE Thin Mint! 😛
Laura says
Please do. I’d love to see your balls.
#twss