I am a taco fan. Big time. So is my family. I don't make them as often as I crave simply because there is quite a bit of excessive fat involved even with the substitution of ground chicken for beef. But the other day I had a little day dream about taco meatballs. I saw the whole thing forming in my head and once I believed I had the recipe down, that's when I took to the internet to seek out what others may have done.
So, yeah, it's not completely original... there's been many-a-taco meatball made... BUT! none with polenta! (not that I could find, anyway).
Tonight I gave it a whirl- and within 10 minutes of roasting in the oven, I knew I had made something good. A bit fussier than basic tacos, I admit. There's more hand-on... more time involved in prep. It's not an every night type of thing to make, unless you're down with the meatballs and I'm more a throw-everything-into-one-pan type of gal.
Essentially, it's this recipe for my chicken taco filling, only a few little tweaks:
- Add all the raw ingredients for the chicken taco recipe in a large bowl, then add 1/2 cup polenta (that tube of polenta that's already pre-cooked), broken up finely and 2 tbsp taco sauce (I like Ortega's because it's smooth)
- Form 1 1/2 - 2" meatballs.
- Poke a hole with your finger deep enough to insert 1/2" cubes of cheddar cheese (or your cheese of preference), then press the meat back around and smooth over with no holes- or else the cheese may ooze out in baking.
- Bake in 350˚ for about 30 min or until meat is no longer pink.
For my kid, I just served on bed of shredded iceberg lettuce with a drizzle of more taco sauce. For people who can handle a variety of veggies, sky's the limit: ripe avocado or fresh guacamole, diced tomato, chopped onion and green pepper, olives, beans, etc.
These would make awesome appetizers for a party.
As I was making them, I realized I could've easily have made a meatloaf, too - just put alternating layers of meat and cheese into the loaf.
9 comments:
Yum! I love this idea, especially with the cheese in the middle. Can't wait to try.
Very cool! What a great idea! Sounds so yummy and healthy!
Sounds really interesting! I love chicken, but I don't know about polenta. Actually, I don't even know where I could get some in podunk Minnesota!
Oh yum! What an interesting idea. Much better sounding than the frozen ones I tend to use.
yum! i'm so glad you shared this. i love polenta. and tacos!
That sounds (and looks) yummy! Actually we're doing meatballs tonight too...but in our brand new crock pot and a sweet and sour version :o) But I think I'll go for your recipe on our next meatball feast...I can already feel and taste the melting cheese as I bite into them :o)
I'm always looking for interesting ways to use polenta. I wonder if you can make a bunch and freeze them?
I think these would be great in a corn tortilla with avocado, salsa and lettuce. I'm starting to get hungry just thinking about it.
i always make my greek meatballs with feta in the middle. I swear they taste 1000 times better. These look and sounds so yummy. I am trying the recipe.
Oh, yummy!!!! The fam is not big on the whole taco thing, but they will just have to deal because I think these look too good! I'm making them.
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