Beef & Turkey Meatballs in Baby Spinach and Leeks Sauce

Name: Beef & Turkey Meatballs in Baby Spinach and Leeks Sauce
Prep time: 1 h
Cook time: 2 h
Total time: 3 h
Yield: 6
Ingredients: 1 Lb Ground Beef (85%-15% works best because of the lean Turkey); 1 Lb Ground Turkey; 2 Grated Carrots; 1 Grated Zucchini (Big Zucchini); 1 Cup water (Cold Water); 1 Tbsp Thyme (chopped leaves); 1 Tsp Ground Cumin; 1 Tsp Black Pepper (Ground Pepper); 1 Tsp Kosher Salt; 3.5 Lbs Tomatoes (Choose ripe & juicy tomatoes); 6 Cloves Garlic (Crushed); 3.5 Tbsp Olive oil; 1 Chipotle Pepper (Chopped with all the seeds); 1 Tsp Kosher Salt; 1/2 Tsp Black Pepper (Ground Pepper); 2 Leek (Chopped, just the white part); 1/2 Cup parsley (Chopped); 1 Pack Baby Spinach (Coarsely chopped); 3 Tbsp Olive oil; 1 Tsp Kosher Salt; 1/2 Tsp Black Pepper (Ground Pepper)

Quick answerMakes 6 servings, ready in 3 hours.

By Jaron Kimhi·November 18, 2016·👁 377 views

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Wonderful Slow-Cooked Recipe for Meatballs

Here is one of my favorite recipes for meatballs. It is a Beef & Turkey Meatballs in a Spicy Baby Spinach, Leeks and Tomato Sauce. I agree it is not the easiest or the shortest meatball recipe out there. The result, however, is more than worth the effort! Can you Change some of the Ingredients? I wouldn't touch the beef and turkey proportions because that's what gives the meatballs their rich flavour. If you really want to change something, you can "play" with the vegetables. You can use only carrots, only zucchinis, or even add one grated onion to the mix. The juiciest result, however, is with zucchinis — and I promise you won't feel or even see them after the meatballs are cooked.

Method

1
Making the Meatballs· 30 Minutes
In a big bowl mix all the meatballs ingredients (Beef, Turkey, Carrots, Zucchini, Water, Thyme, Cumin, Salt and Pepper). knead with the hands and create 12-13 meatballs (They are quite big). Let it rest in the fridge for 30min-1hour
2
Making Spicy Tomato Sauce· 25 Minutes
In a big pot, heat olive oil, chipotle and garlic. Once the garlic starts to change its color add the tomatoes, salt and pepper. stir constantly. Keep stirring to break the tomatoes inside the pot. once they boil reduce the heat and cook for 15min. Remove from the stove and pour everything through a colander. reserve all the liquids.
3
Making the Leeks & Spinach Base· 10 Minutes
Heat a big pot (cast iron or oven compatible). Fry the leeks in olive oil till translucent, add baby spinach, parsley, salt and pepper. Cook till the baby spinach is soft.
4
Cooking the Meatballs· 1:50 Hours
Heat the oven to 350F. Arrange the meatballs in the pot and pour the tomato sauce over. Cook for 1.5 hours. Remove the lid and cook without for 20 minutes till the meatballs have a nice brown color. Done! Best served with white rice!

Recipe by

Jaron Kimhi

Jaron Kimhi — self-taught home cook from Tel Aviv, writing and cooking every recipe on this site himself. 20+ years of tinkering in the kitchen, leaning toward slow cooking, classic technique, and honest ingredients.

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Questions & answers

Can I swap the ground turkey for more beef?

You can, but the recipe uses turkey specifically to balance the fat in the 85/15 beef — so if you go all beef, pick a leaner blend so the meatballs don't turn greasy.

Why does the meatball mix need to rest in the fridge?

That 30-minute to 1-hour chill firms everything up so the meatballs hold their shape when you arrange them in the pot — don't skip it.

Do I have to use a cast iron pot?

Any oven-safe pot works — the recipe just calls for something that can go from stovetop to 350°F oven, so check that your pot is oven-compatible before you start.

How spicy is the chipotle pepper, and can I use less?

The recipe calls for the whole pepper including all the seeds, which gives a solid kick — use half the pepper (with fewer seeds) if you want to dial it back.

Can I make the tomato sauce ahead of time?

Absolutely — make it a day early, strain it through the colander, and keep the liquid in the fridge until you're ready to pour it over the meatballs.

Beef & Turkey Meatballs in Baby Spinach and Leeks Sauce

Wonderful Slow-Cooked Recipe for Meatballs

Method

Making the Meatballs· 30 Minutes

Making Spicy Tomato Sauce· 25 Minutes

Making the Leeks & Spinach Base· 10 Minutes

Cooking the Meatballs· 1:50 Hours

Jaron Kimhi

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