Turkey Meatball and Easy Marinara recipes below. Enjoy! #foodie #lifestyle #recipe #comfort #FromHome #paleo #goodeats #foodfacts #pasta #foodfam #meatballrecipe #marinarasauce
When I was young, my mother thought I would grow up to be a nurse. I still take care of people but in a different way. I’m a cook and recipe author with a knack for comfort foods. These dishes are usually prepared at celebrations, family events, or tied to a fond memory. Comfort foods tend to be higher in fat, sodium, calories, and sugars. But there is good news about those flavor combinations you love best.
Consuming comfort food releases a chemical in our digestive tract called serotonin. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter and can give us a feeling of happiness or well-being. This may very well explain the term “fat and happy”. And this also explains why we crave comfort food when we feel stressed.
Comfort foods are different for everyone. However, there are some dishes widely recognized as comfort foods. There’s chicken pot pie, ice cream, pasta, and meatloaf just to name a few. But for my friend, Aida Koepplinger, comfort food equals fried plantains dipped in ketchup, mayo, and garlic sauce. For my youngest son, it’s my Chili Lime Chicken. Banana pudding, mashed potatoes and gravy, macaroni and cheese, and gumbos are all tops on my list.
Another one of my favorite comfort foods is angel hair pasta and meatballs. There is just something about the texture of angel hair pasta tossed in fresh herbs, garlic, and olive oil that trumps any pasta for my liking. And then the love that goes into each meatball makes the meal so much more special. Try oven-baked turkey meatballs and easy marinara over your favorite pasta. It is a quick and simple picky eater’s delight!
Thank you for reading and visiting. Come back next Monday to see what new delicious adventure awaits. And please drop a comment or an email for me with any questions.
Baked Turkey Meatballs
3 tablespoons olive oil
2 pounds ground turkey or beef at 90/10 or 93/7 lean
2 eggs, beaten
½ cup grated Romano cheese
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. black pepper
½ tsp. garlic powder
1 cup plain bread crumbs
1 tsp. dried basil
½ tsp. dried oregano
Coat a large baking sheet with olive oil. Place the oiled pan in the oven and preheat to 350. Combine meat, eggs, parsley, pepper, garlic powder, and cheese in a mixing bowl with your hands. Fold in the crumb mixture with your hands. Using a 2-ounce scoop (or 2 tbsp.) shape meatballs, golf ball-sized, and place one inch apart on the heated pan. Bake for 20 minutes. Turn meatballs over and bake at least 5 minutes more until meatballs are beginning to brown or crisp on the outside.
Easy Marinara
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
1-2 stalks celery, finely diced
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 (28 ounces) cans crushed tomatoes
1 (6 ounces) can tomato paste
1 teaspoon dried parsley
1 teaspoon dried basil
1 teaspoon dried oregano
salt and pepper to taste
Heat oil in a large skillet over medium to medium-high heat. Stir in onion, garlic, and celery and cook until soft. Pour in tomatoes and tomato paste, parsley, basil, oregano, salt, and pepper. Reduce heat and simmer covered for 15 minutes stirring occasionally.
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