Meatballs with Fresh Veggie Sauce and Peas

July 1, 2009 { }

I hadn’t eaten a meatball in years until I made these. For a long time I kept my food as simple and as basic as possible for sanity’s sake. I ate lots of fresh food, meats that were easy to cook…nothing that took any time at all to think about or prepare. Looking back, I guess I was a little angry that I had to give up so many foods I loved and very fearful that I might eat something that would cause a problem.

My husband changed all of that, without any conscious intention on his part I might add. In fact, I’m not sure he knew I could cook when we got engaged. I’d never made a meal for him. I would eat one thing and he ate something else. One day I decided that I wanted us to have a more normal life and be able to share meals together. Turkey burgers were my first attempt. I seasoned them with salt, pepper, and garlic and then cooked the heck out of them. Dry & flavorless, my darling hubby piled on lots of mayo and cheese, said nothing, and sincerely thanked me for making dinner. I kept making dinner and I’m sure that for quite some time the food wasn’t much better. Joe always expressed the utmost gratitude for my efforts, even on nights when it was so bad he had to eat chips and dip instead.

His total love and acceptance of who I am, food and all, along with the unconditional gratitude and support of my efforts in the kitchen eventually gave me the courage to learn how to cook all over again with foods I can eat and to pursue what I’ve always loved – creating food for others that nurtures and brings joy. Love does heal all wounds.

After Joe bought me the pressure cooker, I found Tom LaCalamita’s book, The Ultimate Pressure Cooker Cookbook. Love it. I’ve adapted this recipe from there. This is one of my husband’s favorite dinners. I usually serve it with brown rice. The slightly nutty flavor of the rice compliments the sauce so well.

I use Hol-Grain Brown Rice Bread Crumbs. They’re made from 100% brown rice. Previously, I would toast tapioca bread and then throw it into the food processor. This is so much simpler. At first I was worried that the brown rice would add an unwanted flavor or texture to the food. Instead, the crumbs bind so well and are undetectable in the final product. I love them. Maybe you want a vegetarian version? Mary Frances at Gluten-Free Cooking School has a Spinach Meatball Sandwich. I love spinach and am planning to try this myself.

What or who gave you the courage to do what you love? Or maybe you’re still looking for it…keep searching. The answers will come.

For more gluten-free dinner ideas, check out What’s for Dinner Wednesday?, hosted by The Gluten-Free Homemaker’s very gracious and dedicated Linda. Thanks so much, Linda!

Print friendly recipe
Meatballs with Fresh Veggie Sauce and Peas

serves 4 – 6 as a meal

1 ½ pounds ground turkey
½ c. gluten-free bread crumbs
2 extra-large eggs, lightly beaten
3 large garlic cloves, minced
2 T. chopped flat leaf Italian parsley
1 ½ t. salt
¼ t. freshly ground pepper to taste
1 T. olive oil for browning

Sauce:

1 T. olive oil
1 large onion, finely diced
2 carrots, peeled & shredded
2 large tomatoes, peeled, seeded, and chopped*
8 oz. button mushrooms, thickly sliced
2 c. low-sodium, gluten-free chicken stock
2 T. gluten-free cornstarch
1 c. fresh or frozen peas
salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

Combine turkey, bread crumbs, egss, garlic, parsley, salt & pepper until thoroughly mixed. Shape into desired meatball size. Heat 1 T. olive oil over medium-high heat in a large skillet and brown meatballs on all sides. If necessary, brown in batches. Line a plate with two paper towels and let browned meatballs rest. Set aside.

To prepare sauce, heat 1 T. olive oil over medium heat and add onion. Sauté until soft but not brown. Add carrots, tomatoes, mushrooms, and chicken stock. Mix well. Add meatballs and stir, coating meatballs with the sauce. Put the lid on the pressure cooker and lock in place. Increase heat to high and bring to high-pressure, then adjust heat so that regulator rocks steadily for 8 minutes. Use cold water release method to cool pressure cooker. Stir in peas. Add 4 T. cold water to cornstarch and mix well. While stirring, pour cornstarch into sauce and meatballs. Mix well, replace and lock pressure cooker lid. Bring to high pressure once more and then use the cold water release method to cool. Taste and adjust for seasoning.

*You can easily substitute canned tomatoes.

Enjoy!!
Amy

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Comments

12 Responses to “Meatballs with Fresh Veggie Sauce and Peas”

Cheryl
July 1st, 2009 @ 7:35 am

Yum, yum yum! That looks so good!! I could serve that for my step-father who is GF when he comes to visit and eat it myself-I'm dairy free.

http://crispy-not-crunchy.blogspot.com/2009/06/whats-for-dinner-gf-smoked-sausage-and.html

[Reply]
Linda
July 1st, 2009 @ 10:21 am

Good for you for persevering!
I've never done meatballs in the pressure cooker. I'm definitely going to try this recipe. Thanks!

[Reply]
Sophie
July 1st, 2009 @ 10:43 am

I am a big meatball fan, I used to love eating meatball sandwiches! I know what you mean about feeling like you had to give up a lot of yummy foods, going out to eat is always so tough now… but it has given me a reason to cook more, too .

[Reply]
Babyfro
July 1st, 2009 @ 11:44 am

I'm feeling a little disenchantment, sadness when I walk in the kitchen right now. I'm gluten free and have recently figured out that tomatoes and peppers (sweet and spicy) are causing the majority of my hives. I can't even touch them and I react. Thanks for reminding me that there's a light at the end of the tunnel. I will enjoy the food I CAN eat and I'll have fun doing it.

Love meatballs by the way!!

[Reply]
Amy Green
July 1st, 2009 @ 1:30 pm

Cheryl – I think your stepfather would love these. I'm always touched deeply when someone thakes the time to research and make a meal I can eat.

Linda – You know I have a love affair with my pressure cooker. My hubby doesn't mind at all. Let me know how this dish turns out if you try it.

Sophie – I know!! We never eat out. I love eating at home because I know I'm going to get good food that works for me.

Rachel – I know you haven't been feeling well for a while. I am keeping you in my thoughts for a quick and full recovery.

[Reply]
glutenfree4goofs
July 1st, 2009 @ 1:32 pm

I love that your hubby is so supportive! Mine has choked down more than a few bad attempts as well! Ha. I can't wait to try your meat balls, the boys will love them I'm sure.
Jessie at Blog Schmog

[Reply]
Amy Green
July 1st, 2009 @ 2:13 pm

Hi Jesse! Yes, the men we love are the very best. You know, I have a whole slew of recipes that I've bookmarked as "Must Make" but I never seem to get around to it.

Does anyone know when & where the next Adopt a GF Blogger is going to happen? That would be the perfect time for me to try some of those recipes.

[Reply]
Brian
July 2nd, 2009 @ 6:37 pm

Meatballs are so versatile. These look great. Thanks for sharing.

[Reply]
Linda
July 2nd, 2009 @ 9:19 pm

Hi Amy, Just wanted to tell you that the July 4th roundup is not my menu. It was just some recipes I thought people might use. I'm going away for a few days with hubby to celebrate our anniversary!

[Reply]
Amy Green
July 2nd, 2009 @ 9:48 pm

Brian – The recipe works great with any sauce, hence the dish that works well for everything. I like this take on it because it's different from your standard red sauce.

Linda – I still love your line-up!! It would be such a great meal.

[Reply]
Sandy Gillett
October 2nd, 2009 @ 7:47 pm

This is a beautiful tribute to your husband. He sounds like a very loving and gratful man. Gratitude is what is drawing me to your site over and over again. Along with anticipation. I can’t wait to check my email several times a day to see what you’re creating. Every recipe I have tried of yours has been a winner in my book. My husband is a very picky eater but he’s actually coming around to trying what I’m making, at least one bite. Thank you for helping this SF/GF girl feel normal.

[Reply]
Amy Reply:
October 2nd, 2009 at 8:05 pm
My hubby is a good man and it sounds like you’ve got a good one, too. Joe still eats his gluten bread & pretzels (I don’t eat much bread or snacks) but everything else is g-free. Gratitude is a good thing – I needed that reminder today. Thank you.

[Reply]