Turkey and Pistachio Meatballs in Creamy Chèvre Sauce

Name: Turkey and Pistachio Meatballs in Creamy Chèvre Sauce
Yield: serves 4 as a main course, or 6 to 8 as an appetizer
Ingredients: 1 pound ground turkey, preferably thigh meat; 1/4 cup finely chopped pistachios; 1 teaspoon grated or minced orange zest; 2 teaspoons fresh orange juice; 1 teaspoon kosher or fine sea salt; 1 teaspoon freshly ground green peppercorns; 3/4 pound soft goat cheese, at room temperature; 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil; 1/3 cup heavy cream; 2 tablespoons finely shredded fresh basil leaves; Butter or ghee and extra virgin olive oil, for sautéing; 3/4 pound spaghettini, cooked al dente (optional)

January 24, 2012

Adding panache to everyday ground turkey is a bit of a challenge. Here, pistachios, orange zest, and a creamy chèvre sauce step up to the plate and bring the balls home on the first run. Serve the sausage balls with the sauce for dipping as hors d’oeuvres with cocktails. Or, cook up spaghettini, set the sausage balls on top, and nap with the sauce. The chèvre sauce can also be used to blanket sautéed chicken breasts, or to drizzle, cooled, over fresh pear slices for dessert, accompanied with a crisp, not-too-dry Gewürztraminer or Riesling.

Recipe notes

Caramelized Onion Pasta

Turn humble onions into this thrifty yet luxe pasta dinner.

Our Favorite French Onion Soup

Caramelized onions, melty Gruyère, and a deeply savory broth deliver the kind of comfort that doesn’t need improving.

Béchamel Sauce

This classic 15-minute sauce is your secret weapon for homemade mac and cheese, chowder, lasagna, and more.

Butternut Squash–Kale Salad With Roasted Garlic Vinaigrette

Round out these autumn greens with tart pomegranate seeds, crunchy pepitas, and a shower of Parmesan.

Okonomiyaki Tater Tots

Crispy tots topped with savory-sweet sauce, mayonnaise, furikake, scallion, and katsuobushi.

Classic French Bouillabaisse With Rouille

This flexible recipe is all you need to bring this iconic Provençal seafood stew to your table.

White Bean Turkey Chili

A dash of cocoa powder adds depth and richness to the broth of this easy turkey chili.

One-Pot Chicken Thighs With Cilantro Rice and Beans

This one-pot dinner cooks chicken thighs directly on top of a bed of flavorful cilantro rice studded with black beans for a complete dinner.