Spicy Raspberry Meatballs

I have been on a berry kick lately and these meatballs hit the spot. I saw them on the food network last week and they sounded so interesting I had to make them. The thought of fruity and spicy coming together made my mouth water. To add to the awesomeness that would become of these meatballs, they were turkey! This made me feel guilt free. When all the flavors come together it is just delightful! I ended up taking them to a get together to watch the Olympic games and everyone loved them.

 Ingredients:

Spicy Raspberry Glaze:

• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 clove minced garlic
• 1/4 cup raspberry jam
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon white wine vinegar
• 1/2 teaspoon chile powder
• Salt

Turkey Meatballs:

• 1 egg
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley leaves, chopped
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
• 2 cloves minced garlic
• 1/2 small white onion, finely diced
• 1 pound ground turkey

 For the spicy raspberry glaze: Mix the butter and garlic over medium heat in a small saucepan and cook until the butter is fully melted. Add the jam, cayenne, vinegar and chile powder. Cook 2 minutes longer and sprinkle with salt. Pour half of the glaze into a bowl. Keep the other half of the glaze warming in the small saucepot.

For the turkey meatballs: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Whisk together the egg, parsley, salt and cayenne in a small bowl. Add the panko, garlic and onions to the mixture and blend to combine. Mix in the turkey, using your hands, until just combined. Do not over mix; this will result in tough meatballs.

Form the turkey mixture into 1-inch balls and arrange on a parchment-lined cooking sheet. Brush the meatballs with half of the spicy raspberry glaze from the bowl. Bake the meatballs until cooked through and slightly firm to touch, about 13 minutes. Halfway through the baking time, turn the meatballs and brush them with the warmed glaze.

Garnish the meatballs with cocktail skewers for serving. Enjoy!

Pluots

So if you're like me you do not know what a "pluot" is, this delicious fruit is a hybrid of an apricot and plum. I saw it the other day at the market and decided to give it a go, so glad I did. This fruit was so juicy and tasty... they have different varieties of them including heart, dinosaur egg, and red pluot. The one I tried was the dinosaur egg, it had a spotted exterior.

When I bit into it the red flesh was colorful and impressive. Very yummy so glad I tired it! This was a good afternoon snack that kept me feeling full until dinner.

Buffalo Chicken Lettuce Wrap

Buffalo chicken is one of my favorite bar snacks, so I wanted to make a healthier version of this all time favorite without sacrificing the delicious taste. I was looking for the perfect lettuce cup for my buffalo chicken and I saw the "butter lettuce". This was the first time I attempted to make lettuce wrapped anything so I wanted something with a very mild flavor. Butter lettuce was the perfect choice, it was a little nutty and pretty crisp.

They come in this plastic box which was what attracted me to it in the first place. If you don't find this you can use any type, baby bok choy is a good choice also. 

Ingredients: 

chicken 

4 tbsp franks red hot

butter lettuce

blue cheese crumbles

This is probably the easiest recipe I have made so far, all you need to do it cook the chicken on a skillet and shred when it is cooked. Then add the franks red hot and mix until every strand is covered. You can add more or less sauce depending on how hot you like the chicken. After just clean the lettuce cups and you are set to go! 

 Pile on the chicken and sprinkle some blue cheese on top and enjoy!

Spinning Woes

Yesterday I decided I was going to give spinning class one more chance. I had a bad experience with it a couple months back because it left me so sore I could barely walk. The last time I tried it I know I didn't set up the bike properly so this time I asked for some help from the instructor.

I go to David Barton Gym in south beach.. their tag line is "look better naked" which I immediately loved. I love all the classes they offer and this was one I had to overcome! My mom gave me this gel seat to add comfort to my behind during the ride.. and boy did it help! 

I am a group fitness person, I love trying new classes and it makes it easier knowing other people are experiencing the same pain as me. This class was the perfect cardio remedy that I was looking for, it was group, quick, and in a dark room (so no one has to endure my crazy hair and expressions). I always hear the spinning class music in the distance from my pilates class and I loved it. The fast pace music that gets your heart pumping and makes you want to move. Overall i'm glad I gave it another shot because this time around I felt great afterwards! Invigorated is the word that comes to mind. Besides a little pain on my "butt bones" i'm great and the gel seat helped a lot. This will be my new cardio workout :)

Baked Mozzarella Sticks

I bought these egg roll wrappers the other day because I saw this clever idea to use them to make cheese sticks. I for one love cheese sticks, they're cheesy and filling. Usually this snack is served fried so I was excited to make a healthier version. I ended up adding some pepperoni and making it a pizza style egg roll. These were quick and tasty... perfect little lunch.

Ingredients:
egg roll wrappers
mozzarella string cheese
topping of choice
some olive oil spray

All you need to do is lay the egg roll wrapper out and out the string cheese in the middle and add you topping, then roll up according to the directions on the box. Put in a greased baking sheet and once all are wrapped spray with some olive oil. Pop into oven at 375 for approx 15min turning towards the end so that both sides brown.