Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Greek Meatballs with Tzatziki


If you knew you couldn't fail, what would you wish for? What would you set as a goal? What would you try? If you knew you couldn't fail, would that change your perspective on what things you do, and what you try to do? I think I would try a whole lot more different things. But I wonder what would happen as I accomplished everything. I wonder if I would get bored of trying and succeeding and never having to re-group, change course, change my approach.

I was at a yoga class last night (the cold weather totally motivates me to go to the hot studio by the way!) and the instructor kept saying how this practice was today's practice. Notice how you are feeling today. Today is different from yesterday. It will be different tomorrow. But right now, this is what you are working towards, this is what you are practicing. I really liked that. I think this stuck with me partly because my crow pose, well, totally sucked and since I had totally nailed it in my previous class, it felt like a bit of a step back. But her words at the time actually allowed me to be ok with not achieving the same result, and also not take it as a failure. How mature of me.

It was just a different day. I wasn't as core strong, or as focused or something. Whatever the reason was, it was purely because yesterday was a different day from the previous week. Sure, they were both Monday, but different Mondays.

So, to go back to the original question: How you would approach the world if you knew you could never fail, would it change your choices? If you knew that you would consider each day differently, because each day is a bit different, what would you wish for? What would you set as a goal? What would you try? If you knew that every day was different and that made everything you did that day different, would that change your perspective on what things you do, and what you try to do?

Tonight I tried meatballs. I tried savoury greek flavoured meatballs with some tzatziki for dipping. They were worth the risk!

On a related note, I live in Canada -- wait, how is this related to meatballs?! Are they maple syrup meatballs?! -- and a friend of mine sells Epicure products, which I really like (no, they aren't sponsoring this post, but maybe I should get in touch with them...). I like the products because they have simple and natural ingredients, and are actually made in Canada.  Support the local businesses, eh? Ya! Anyways, I have used them twice in this recipe, but you are more than welcome to substitute them for a combination or greek inspired flavours and spices (oregano, garlic, lemon, dill, etc) and for your own tzatziki mix. But if you are interested in the Epicure line, my friend Karen, who sells the products, has a great site for them!

Ok. My shameless (even though it is for a friend!) plug is over now. Let's get to some meat-a-ball-a's!


Spices, eggs, salt, pepper all make friends with the ground chicken


Crack the eggs in there


Mix it up real good


Rolling happens behind the scenes. It just isn't pretty when your hands are covered in raw meat and you try to snap a few quick pics. Can I get an assistant please?


Ready for this dipping sequence?


Dip


Swirl


Yummmmy.
 


Greek Meatballs
Yield: A baker's dozen worth of large-size meatballs

1lb ground chicken (beef, pork or turkey could all be used)
2 eggs
1 tbsp Epicure Lemon Dilly Dip Mix
Salt and Pepper, to taste

Tzatziki Dip (optional)
1/4 cup fat free greek yogurt
1 tbsp Epicure Tzatziki Dip Mix
1/4 cup shredded cucumber

Directions:
1. Preheat your oven to 400F. Coat a baking pan with cooking spray and set aside.
2. In a medium bowl, combine chicken, eggs, lemon-dill herbs and salt and pepper. Mix until all ingredients are well combined.
3. Roll the meat mixture into balls and space evenly on your baking sheet.
4. Bake for 20 minutes, or until the meatballs are browned and are cooked through (no more pink in the middle)
5. Serve with tzatziki dip, or for something different, try some hot sauce!

2 comments:

  1. Your meatballs look yummy. Thanks for participating in Gluten-Free Wednesdays! Please remember to leave a link back. :)

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  2. Beautiful pictures!! :) Thanks for linking up at our Gluten Free Fridays party! I have tweeted and pinned your entry to our Gluten Free Fridays board on Pinterest! :)
    I hope to see you again this week!

    This week is sponsored by Sugar and Spice Market! They are giving away a package of their gluten free sugar cookie mix and a package of their gluten free pancake/waffle mix! It is just in time for the holidays!

    Link up starts tomorrow (thursday) at 7:05pm eastern time! Cindy from vegetarianmamma.com

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