Рецепт Turkey Date Meatballs with Lentils and Dill sauce
I have a really bad habit of falling in love with a song and playing it ad nauseum until I can’t stand it anymore. I’d wake up, listen to the song with coffee, listen to it a few more times when I readied myself for work, drive to work and listen to NPR , make it to work, listen to the song one more time, then go on my way teaching.
It happened with Adele’s “Someone Like You.” (By the way, I’ve linked the most amazing unofficial music video for that song and you really need to watch it).
I was stuck on was Tracy Chapman’s “Fast Car” for awhile. It reminded me of my childhood but also helped me connect with my students.
Then it was “I Drive Your Truck” by Lee Brice and now, thanks to this week’s episode of The Walking Dead, it is Tom Waits’ “Hold On.” I’ve actually been a Tom Waits fan for quite a few years, initially falling in love with “I Hope I Don’t Fall in Love with You” and later “Old Shoes.” Tom Waits – such a great storyteller in music (perhaps only second to Harry Chapin).
So, have you spent the last 30 minutes of your life listening to my musical history?
The fact of the matter is that this meal is going to be like one of those songs. That phenomenon is rarer with food than it is with song around here. This meal was seriously freaking delicious. My husband DREADED (yes, in all capitals) the combination of meat and dates. He then, went back for seconds, which is so exceptional.
This meal is about as visually appealing as Tom Waits’ voice is beautiful (ie. not very much so). Brown, drab, monotone though it is, it packs a flavor punch. The meatballs are spiced with sesame oil and dates plus turkey and breadcrumbs making for a super tender sweet savory combo. The lentils are cooking in seemingly contradictory cinnamon and garlic but that, too, is just perfect. And the sour cream dill sauce? Over.the.top.
Make this soon. And I’ll be making it again…soon.
Turkey Date Meatballs with Lentils and Dill Sauce (adapted from Food and Wine)
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground turkey (93%)
- 1 cups bread crumbs
- 6 dates, pitted and finely chopped
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- 2 tablespoons sesame seeds
- 1 teaspoon Asian sesame oil
- Salt and freshly ground pepper
- 1 cup French green lentils
- 2 garlic cloves, crushed and peeled
- 2 thyme sprigs
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 1 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 1/2 tablespoons sherry vinegar
- 1 cup low-fat sour cream
- 1 tablespoon dried, chopped dill
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 400°.
In a large bowl, combine thoroughly the ground turkey with the bread crumbs, dates, eggs, sesame seeds, sesame oil, 2 teaspoons of salt and 1/2 teaspoon of pepper.
Form the turkey mixture into 1-inch meatballs. Spread the meatballs on a lightly oiled large rimmed baking sheet. Bake for 20 minutes, or until browned on the bottom and cooked through, turning half way through the cooking process.
While the meatballs cook, in a medium saucepan, cover the lentils, garlic, thyme and cinnamon stick with 2 inches of water; bring to a boil.
Simmer over moderately low heat until the lentils are tender, about 25 minutes. Drain the lentils and transfer to a bowl; pick out and discard the seasonings.
Stir the olive oil and vinegar into the lentils and season with salt and pepper.
Blend the sour cream with the chopped, dried dill.
Serve the meatballs with the lentils and dill sauce.