Turkey meatballs and rice recipe

Kids will love these turkey meatballs in tomato sauce with rice. Serve them with steamed green beans, peas or sweetcorn.

Ingredients

• 25 g (1oz) white or wholemeal bread, crusts removed
• 2tbsp semi-skimmed milk
• 225g (8oz) minced turkey
• 1 small carrot, about 50g (2oz), peeled and finely grated
• 1 garlic clove, peeled and crushed
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• 400g (14oz) tin plum tomatoes
• 2tsp sun-dried tomato paste
• 350ml (1½ cups) chicken or vegetable stock
• 1 bay leaf
• 100g (½ cup) easy-cook white rice, rinsed
• 1tbsp fresh or frozen chopped parsley

Method

1. Cut the bread into small cubes and put in a mixing bowl. Sprinkle over the milk and leave to soak for 5 mins. Add the turkey, carrot and garlic, then season with salt and pepper to taste. Shape the mixture into 20 small balls and set aside.
2. Tip the plum tomatoes into a blender or food processor, add the tomato paste and purée until smooth. Pour into a large, heavy-based saucepan then add the stock and bay leaf and bring to the boil.
3. Stir in the rice and cook briskly for 5 mins, then reduce the heat to a gentle simmer. Carefully drop in the meatballs, cover the pan and simmer for a further 8-10 mins, or until both the meatballs and rice are cooked.
4. Remove the bay leaf, stir in the parsley, taste and adjust the seasoning if necessary. Spoon onto warmed plates and serve straight away with freshly cooked vegetables and slices of Italian-style bread such as focaccia or ciabatta for larger appetites.