Mezze Bowls
Bright Mediterranean inspired flavors, nutritious veggies, lean protein and a creamy yogurt sauce all combine to create the ultimate meal prep or satisfying quick dinner. These Greek inspired meatballs (keftedes), are paired with typical mezze components to create a healthy meal.
Juicy tender and bursting with flavor, these easy meatballs are traditionally sautéed on the stove top in batches. Then they are served as an appetizer on what is called a mezze platter which is an assortment of items including cucumbers, olives, tomatoes, feta, pickled onions, hummus, and pita bread. Here we added some spinach to the meatballs for another serving of veggies and combined many of the mezze components into one bowl for an easy on the go lunch or quick dinner at home.
Incredibly flavorful, but so easy to make, we use the O&V Tzatziki spice mix for garlicky and herby goodness and then just pop the meatballs into the oven while you prepare the bowl ingredients. So BE BRAVE and try this great meal prep item that provides a wonderful variety of flavors and textures and all the goodness of typical Mediterranean eating.
Happy Meal Prepping!
Greek Turkey Meatball Mezze Bowls
Ingredients
(* indicates my preferred ingredients – see notes for alternatives)
Meatballs
1 lb lean ground turkey or ground chicken
1 cup chopped frozen spinach, thawed
1 ½ tablespoons O&V Tzatziki Spice mix *
1 ½ tablespoons warm water
½ teaspoon ground pepper
1 teaspoon minced fresh garlic (about 1 large clove)
1/8 teaspoon O&V Ghost Chili Sauce or Habanero Sauce * (optional and to taste)
1-2 tablespoons O&V Roasted Garlic Oil *
Sauce and Bowl components
1 cup sour cream or whole milk Greek yogurt
1 ½ tablespoon O&V Tzatziki Spice Mix *
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 tablespoon finely chopped mint
1 tablespoon finely chopped dill (more for garnish)
1 tablespoon O&V Lemon EVOO (more for drizzling over) *
1 cup cooked couscous or toasted pita bread
2 cups chopped romaine or spring greens
2 cups sliced cucumbers
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved or quartered
¼ – ½ cup black olives or O&V Kalamata Olives *
1 orange bell pepper, sliced
¼ red onion thinly sliced (optional)
½ cup crumbled feta cheese
Lemon wedges to serve
Preparation
Preheat the oven to 400 F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
In a large mixing bowl, soak the Tzatziki spice mix in the warm water for 5 minutes to rehydrate the herbs. Squeeze the excess moisture out of the thawed spinach and add to the bowl with the tzatziki herbs. Add in the pepper, garlic, hot sauce if using, and the ground chicken/turkey. Combine together but do not overmix.
Using a tablespoon measure, create 20-24 meatballs, rolling gently into balls and placing on the parchment paper. Brush with the Roasted Garlic Oil and place in the oven for 15-18 minutes until cooked through. If the meatballs need more browning, place under a broiler on high for an additional 1-2 minutes.
To make the sauce, place 1½ tablespoons of Tzatziki spice mix in a bowl with 1 tablespoon lemon juice. Allow to sit for 5 minutes to rehydrate the herbs. Add the sour cream/yogurt, fresh minced herbs, and the Lemon EVOO. Combine well and chill till ready to serve.
To assemble the 4 bowls, add chopped lettuce to the bowls, arrange the cucumbers, tomatoes, peppers, olives, and onion (if using) in the bowl. Divide the meatballs amongst the bowls along with the couscous or pita bread.
Generously drizzle each bowl with the Tzatziki Sauce, garnish with minced dill, crumbled feta cheese and a drizzle of Lemon EVOO. Serve with a lemon wedge.
Serves 4
Active time 35 minutes Total Time: 35 minutes
Notes
* The Tzatziki Spice Mix is hard to replace with its amazing garlicky and herby flavors. Email me if you would like a homemade substitute instead. The Lemon EVOO adds fabulous zing and brightness to the bowl, you can use a high quality Unflavored EVOO instead and increase the amount of lemon juice. The Roasted Garlic Oil adds great flavor and is a nice high temperature cooking oil, you can substitute with your favorite high-quality Unflavored oil instead.
All highlighted items are available at most Oil & Vinegar stores.
Categories: Entrée, Gluten Free, Easy Weeknight Meal, Quick Dinner, Meal Prep, Greek Mezze Bowl, Spinach and Turkey Meatballs, Ground Chicken Greek Meatballs, Roasted Garlic Oil, Lemon EVOO, Unflavored Oil, Tzatziki Dip Mix, Tzatziki Sauce, Make Ahead Lunches, Couscous, Pita Bread, Healthy
