Baked Turkey Quinoa and Apple Meatballs

These HEALTHY meatballs are my new favorite! My husband and I agree, that we could probably eat these everyday and never get sick of them. But since I'm afraid that it could be a possibility, I make sure to switch it up, anyways. :)

Make sure to add these into your next meal prep--you won't regret it! My favorite pairing with these meatballs: pan-fried garlic green beans and brown rice. SO DELICIOUS!!

INGREDIENTS:
MAKES ABOUT 4 DOZEN MINI-MEATBALLS

1 pound of lean ground turkey

3 cloves of garlic finely chopped

1 celery stick finely chopped

1/2 cup of finely chopped carrots

1/2 cup of finely chopped apple or bosc pear

1 green onion chopped

1/2 cup of cooked quinoa

1 egg

1 tsp of salt

1/4 tsp of chili flakes

1/2 tsp of Italian seasoning

1 tsp of onion powder

3 tsp of dried parsley

handful of chopped basil

black pepper to taste

olive oil

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Into a skillet on medium-high heat, add in some coconut oil. Add in your chopped garlic, celery, carrot, a pinch of salt, and cook until tender. Add in your chopped apples and cook for 2 more minutes. Turn off heat and stir in your green onion. Stir, remove cooked veggies and place in a dish to allow it to cool down before using.

PREHEAT YOUR OVEN TO 400 DEGREES F

2. In your large mixing bowl, add in your ground turkey, (cooled down) cooked veggies, egg, cooked quinoa, chopped basil, salt, chili flakes, Italian seasoning, onion powder, dried parsley, black pepper and a drizzle of olive oil. Mix well.

3. Place a piece of parchment paper on a baking sheet. Using a melon baller, scoop out the meatballs onto your baking sheet and bake for about 20 minutes (check after 15 by cutting one open). Do not over bake!

NOTES:

*If you are short on time and you need to cool down your cooked veggies, fast, just place them in the freezer for ten minutes before using!

Rustic Apple Tart

Who doesn't love fall?? It's probably one of my favorite seasons, EVER. I just love everything about it; fall leaves, rain, apples, and pumpkins.

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE.

Today's recipe is an easy, rustic apple tart, packed with tons of flavor!

INGREDIENTS:

1 homemade pie crust (get the recipe here)

3 golden delicious apples, peeled and thinly sliced

1/3 cup of sugar

1/2 tsp of vanilla extract

1/2 tsp of ground cinnamon

1/8 tsp of ground nutmeg

pinch of salt

the juice from half a lemon

1 Tbsp of cornstarch

For the egg wash:

1 egg white mixed with a bit of water

You will also need:

raw sugar/turbinado sugar

melted butter (you may use apple or apricot jelly, microwaved until spreadable)



INSTRUCTIONS:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.

1. Place your apples into a mixing bowl. Add in your sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla extract, and salt. Gently, toss to coat.

2. Put your lemon juice into a small mixing bowl, along with your cornstarch. Whisk until smooth. Pour this mixture onto your sliced apples, and toss to coat. Set aside.

3. Remove your pie crust from the refrigerator, and place it on a large piece of parchment paper. Sprinkle a little flour over your pie crust, and also on your rolling pin. Using the rolling pin, give your pie crust a few whacks to soften it a bit. Start at the center of your dough, and then work your way outwards to the edge. Slightly rotate your crust, and begin the same process, again and again, until your pie crust is about a 16 inch circle, that's no more than 1/4 thick.

4. Transfer your parchment paper, along with the dough, onto a large baking sheet.

5. Arrange your apples onto your dough, making sure to leave a 1/2 inch border to allow for the folding over of the crust. (If you are taking the time to neatly assemble your apple slices, make sure to pour the juices from the apple mixture last, to prevent a soggy crust)

6. Fold the dough, up and over the apples to create a pie crust.

7. Brush the crust with your egg wash and sprinkle it some raw sugar.

8. Stir the juices from your apple mixture and pour it over your assembled apples.

9. Bake for about 45-50 minutes, rotating half way through, until your crust is golden brown.

10. Fresh out of the oven, brush some melted butter (or apricot jelly) over your apple tart.

11. Allow the apple tart to cool slightly on the baking sheet, and then place it on a wire rack to cool completely or serve warm with some ice cream and/or whipped cream.

Apple puff pastry

Are you a mom who works full time, has 4 kids running around your house(one holding scissors) and is dying for something just a little bit sweeter in your life while not having the time?? Look no further, cause your solution is right here!! This is such an easy and delicious dessert using the frozen puff pastry that can be found in most grocery stores. All you need is some honey, honey and whipped cream for the topping and you're all set!!

You will need:

1 sheet of frozen puff pastry(thaw according to directions on package) -this will make 4 apple pastries

1 golden delicious apple thinly sliced or chopped(it's delicious w/ a bosc pear too)

some melted butter

cinnamon

brown sugar

honey

fresh whipped cream(or store bought)

powdered sugar

Preheat Oven to 400 degrees

Thinly slice your peeled apple and set aside.

Place your thawed puff pastry on a lightly floured surface. Add a small amount of flour onto your puff pastry and rolling pin and gently roll out most of the cracks while slightly expanding the dough. Work quickly cause the longer you work the dough the tougher it may become.

Take a pizza slicer and cut into 4 large equal squares.

Put some melted butter on each square to give the brown sugar something to stick to. Take a fork and gently prick all over the dough.

Sprinkle on some brown sugar and cinnamon.

Place your apple slices in the middle of each square. I do two stacks but you can add more if you please. The more slices you add, the longer it will take to bake. Brush some melted butter on the apple slices and fold over each corner of the puff pastry over the apples and take some more butter to seal.

Place pastries on a piece of parchment paper over a baking sheet and bake for 18-20 minutes.

Place on platter or serving dish and drizzle on some honey while it's hot. Put some freshly whipped cream on each pastry(or store bought) and finish it off with a dusting of powdered sugar. YUMMY!!

Watch my tutorial and see how easy this recipe is!!