What's For Dinner? Bar-B-Qued Turkey Meatballs with Pumpkin Sauce

My mother is a great cook and I strive to be just like her. Recently she shared a recipe with me that she and my daddy had really enjoyed eating gluten-free. Since I don't eat tomatoes, dairy or gluten, and red meat hardly ever, we talked about how I could adapt the recipe to fit all my dietary needs. I decided to make a pumpkin sauce, but if you eat tomatoes I have included that option for the lucky you.

I must confess that I usually shy away from recipes like this one, just because I'm kind of funny that I don't like the feel of raw meat all over my hands. Well, I must be growing out of this fetish, because I really like this recipe in spite of the handling of the raw meat. It really tastes delicious to me and I even find them good cold. Well, you might be thinking, how gross to eat these cold, but when I'm hungry and I need quick protein, these work for me. We like how the meatballs are very soft and tender with a bit of tangy flavor with the mild taste of the pumpkin. My boys like them and that makes a dinner that everyone can eat. Hurray!


Bar-B-Qued Turkey Meatballs with Pumpkin Sauce

Meatball Ingredients:

1 1/2 pounds ground turkey thighs or ground meat of your choice
1/2 cup crushed gluten-free cornflakes
2 eggs, optional
1/2 cup coconut milk, light
1 teaspoon sea salt
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
7 drops stevia
1/2 cup pumpkin puree

Mix together and shape into balls. Place in a 9x15-inch baking dish.

Make pumpkin sauce with:

1/2 cup pumpkin puree
1/3 cup organic raw apple cider vinegar
7 drops stevia
2 teaspoons agave nectar
water if needed to thin sauce

Or: make tomato sauce with:

1/2 cup ketchup
1/3 cup apple cider vinegar
2 teaspoons brown sugar or agave nectar
2 tablespoons onions, chopped

Mix together in a bowl and spoon sauce over meatballs. Bake about 30-35 minutes or until done at 350 degrees.

For more gluten-free dinner recipes check out the "What's For Dinner? Gluten-free Style" Blog Carnival hosted by The Gluten-Free Homemaker. You will find some great gluten-free cooks sharing their great recipes.

What's For Dinner? Turkey with apples in the Crockpot

"What's for dinner?" That's the question that looms over me all day, at least most days. I have found great peace in my life when I know that dinner is cooking in my crock pot. I like the way the house smells and I can anticipate a delicious stress-free dinner.




This is a recipe that everyone in my family enjoys, which is not always the case around here. My boys and husband ooh and aah with meals where the carbs are flowing but, I don't do well eating that way. Therefore, many nights I prepare two meals or someone eats leftovers. Obviously, having a meal that everyone enjoys brings peace to me.

If you would like more gluten-free dinner ideas please see Linda's blog, The Gluten-Free Homemaker and we welcome you to join in the fun!





Turkey with Apples in the Crock Pot

4 organic apples, peeled, cored and sliced
4 natural turkey breasts cutlets
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 tablespoons fresh rosemary leaves, chopped
1-2 cups water

Place apples in the bottom of the crock pot and lay turkey cutlets on top of the apples and season. Pour in the broth. I like to add more broth for a soupy dish.
Cover and cook on Low for 6-8 hours or on High for 3-4 hours.
Enjoy your day.

May be served with rice.
I have also made gravy with the broth when it has completed cooking.

Gravy

1 tablespoon Earth Balance margarine
1 tablespoon gluten-free flour
1 cup broth, approximately

In a medium-sized skillet melt the margarine. Whisk in the flour and cook the mixture about 1 minute. Whisk in the broth breaking up any clumps. Bring the mixture to a bubble and season with salt and pepper if you desire. Reduce heat and simmer until slightly thickened.

I'm not the expert on gravy, so if you have any suggestions, hints or recipes I would appreciate you sharing them!