Mini Greek Meatballs for Taste & Create


For those of you who frequent my blog you know that I never miss the Taste & Create event which gets bigger and better each and every month. It is the brainchild of Nicole (aka Myamii) over at For the Love of Food . I love to visit her site for all the delicious recipes and tidbits of helpful information. She even has an on-line store with wonderful kitchen gadgets and gourmet foods. If you haven't had the chance to visit this very busy woman please take the time...you will be glad you did.

The premise of the Taste & Create event is simple... we are paired with another blogger... we choose a recipe from their delicious posts...we prepare the dish... and then... blog about it. I love this event because I am able to showcase someone else's blog, a favourite dish or just rave about a blogging friend. The blogosphere is filled with delicious recipes that are piling up waiting for me to try. It's time to get some of them out from the blogosphere and into my kitchen!!!! Taste & Create allows me to to do just that each and every month!!! What could be better!

This month I have been paired with CIA from Cooking in an Apron . She lives in the San Francisco area and from browsing her site she loves to bake. She says, "My passion is finding a new recipe, making it, then either dumping it in the garbage or letting the world know what an awesome 'find' I've got! We both probably have the largest collection of cooking magazines on the planet...maybe not...but we love cookbooks and magazines like many of you as well.

CIA made it very difficult to make just one dish from her blog. Since I am trying to avoid too much baking and still have to make the Daring Bakers challenge for this month (which is always something luscious and sweet as well) I opted for a savoury dish from her blog. Should I make:
Greek Meatballs with Tzatziki ,Baked Pesto Chicken ,Chicken Breasts with Mediterranean Stuffing ,Balsamic Chicken ,Fettuccine Chicken Salad, or Potato Pie . Those of you who know me can see the theme here...potatoes...chicken.... I just can't help myself!!!! Is there an AA group for potato and chicken addicts????????
Today it was 36 Celcius so I opted to cook the meatballs in a pan on the barbecue to prevent perspiration...face it it is stinking hot!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I cooked them at medium-high using the indirect cooking method on my barbecue which worked out very well. Turkey tends to be dry but these meatballs were very moist and the added bonus was they were very flavourful as well. I will definitely be making this heart-healthy dish again!!!

**Mini Greek Meatballs**
Adapted from Kalyn's Kitchen by CIA
Makes about 24 small meatballs

1 pound ground turkey
1/2 small onion, minced
1/2 cup very finely crumbled feta cheese
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 large egg
1 T extra virgin olive oil, plus more for baking dish
1 T dried Greek oregano
4 tsp. red wine vinegar
1/4 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. fresh ground black pepper
1 tsp. Greek seasoning

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Preheat oven to 400*F.

Grate the onion, then drain if it seems like there is a lot of liquid. Combine all ingredients in a bowl, then use your hands to mix ingredients.

Lightly oil a 9 X 13 baking dish. Shape meat into 1 tablespoon size meatballs and place on baking sheet. Bake 20 minutes, after which time you will see some liquid oozing out. Turn meatballs and bake 10 more minutes. Turn again, and bake 5-10 more minutes, until meatballs are well-browned and cooked through.

Meatballs are delicious served with Tzatziki Sauce