Meatballs with Smoked Paprika

Here is another meatball recipe.  They are so easy to make and I like to make mine with different flavorings. I also like to make them really healthy and generally make them with ground turkey meat. These particular ones have my favorite flavors- smoked paprika and dried ancho chilies. They both have a delicious, smoky flavor with a bit of kick.

I added the paprika in the meat itself including onion and garlic. For the sauce I reconstituted a few ancho chilies, blended them with crushed tomatoes and cooked it. I then formed the meatballs and cooked them in the delicious sauce.

• 1 pound ground turkey meat
• 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons dried thyme
• 1 egg beaten
• ½ cup cilantro, chopped
• ½ cup yellow onion, chopped
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• ¼ cup panko breadcrumbs
• 1/3 cup milk

Transfer the meat into a large bowl. Add the paprika, salt, thyme, beaten egg, cilantro, onion and garlic. Mix well. In the meantime soak the breadcrumbs in the milk for ten minutes. Add the soaked breadcrumbs into the meat mixture and mix well. Keep aside in the fridge for at least 2 to 3 hours.

Sauce

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 28 oz can of crushed tomatoes
• 2 dried ancho chilies
• 1 cup boiling water
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• Salt

Soak the dried chilies in the boiling water for half an hour. Blend the soft peppers (and the water) with the crushed tomatoes until all blended well. Add the olive oil in a large saucepan. Add the tomato mixture into the pan and bring to a boil. Cook for about 15 minutes on high. Simmer while forming meatballs and gently dropping them in the sauce. Add the cinnamon. Cook for about 15 to 20 minutes. Check for seasonings and serve with rice or bread.