Feeding a Family on a Budget- Turkey Meatballs in Cream Sauce

I plan on featuring budget friendly recipes every week or two that are substantial enough to feed a family using fresh,natural ingredients. It can be challenging to juggle a full time job and a family and still have time to prepare a meal that everyone can sit down and enjoy. This recipe is my daughters, she has 2 young children ages 7 and 4, works a full time job and manages to put a good meal on the table just about every night. She makes food ahead and freezes it, has come up with recipes that are quick and easy to prepare and are kid friendly. This recipe including the mashed potatoes and collard greens that she served this with cost under $25 for a family of 4, and there were leftovers that she and the husband are taking to work for lunch (love brownbagging it). She uses organic free range turkey meat (we all know that costs more but is so worth it), and organic vegetables and dairy products. Food prices vary depending on where you live, here in NYC it can be a challenge to live within a budget but in tough economic times it’s important to spend wisely. This meal is really simple to put together and incredibly delicious.

Serves: 4 with leftovers

2 lbs ground turkey

1/2 large or a whole small onion chopped

1/4 tsp garlic powder

2 thick slices of bread soaked in milk

salt and pepper to taste

2 cups chicken stock

3 tbs flour

1/4 cup heavy cream

1/2 cup milk

salt and pepper to taste

Heat some olive oil in skillet, saute onions until they are soft. In mixing bowl add the turkey, bread soaked in milk, garlic powder, salt and pepper, when onions are done add to the turkey mixture. Stir to combine all ingredients and form into meatballs. In same skillet fry the meatballs, browning on all sides but don’t cook them through. Remove from skillet, using the same skillet with the drippings add the flour, you are making a roux, stir so that its mixed with the pan drippings and let it cook for about a minute. whisk in the the stock, cream and milk and let it cook so that it thickens.

Place meatballs in baking dish and pour cream sauce over them. Bake in 400 degree oven for 10-15 minutes. Serve with mashed potatoes and vegetables.