[Food Series] Turkish Meatballs (Köfte)

I’ll be honest, Meatballs are my husband’s domain. He’s the Köfte master. Before this attempt, I had only made them once, so I didn’t expect to knock it out of the park! Even the hubby said mine were better than his (on which the jury is still out). Anyway, here it is! The best darn Turkish meatball a New Orleanian ever made! Enjoy!

Turkish Meatballs (Köfte) Recipe

Ingredients
2 lbs Ground Beef (30% Fat)
1/2 medium Onion
2 Garlic Cloves
1 cup plain bread crumbs
2 tablespoons dried Oregano
2 tablespoons Cumin
1/2 cup fresh Parsley
1 teaspoon Salt
1/2 teaspoon Pepper

To begin, prepare the wet and dry mixture ingredients before handling the ground beef. Finely grate the onion and garlic in one bowl. In another bowl add the plain bread crumbs, crushed dried oregano, cumin, salt and pepper and mix well. Preheat your broiler. In another bowl, place half of the ground beef trying to expose as much surface area of the meat as possible, then add half of the onion and garlic mixture, half of the breadcrumb mixture and half of the parsley and mix until everything is fully incorporated. Make sure not to overwork the meat, otherwise the meatballs won’t be as tender. Add the second half of the ground beef and the last of the onion and garlic mixture, breadcrumb mixture and parsley and mix again. Shape meatballs into oblong spheres about an inch in diameter and place in the broiler for about 5 minutes, then flip and broil for about another 4 minutes.

Exploring a Rainbow of Sea Creature Colors at Leo Carrillo State Beach

Just an hour’s drive north of Los Angeles, on the famous Pacific Coast Highway, sits Leo Carrillo State Park, boasting almost 2 miles of beach, perfect for ocean sports of every kind, sun bathing and hidden in its tide pools, we discovered the most incredible array of sea creatures Mother Nature has ever thought to create. 
exploring leo carillo state park tide pools with a todder
Living in Harmony
We have had the pleasure of visiting this state park many times. We’ve camped at their campground which is walking distance to the beach, we have explored its many coastal caves, climbed its crags and lounged on its shores. Depending on the time of year, it can be quite crowded, but we’ve been lucky to have avoided hoards of beach-combers on our visits.
exploring leo carrillo state park tide pools with a todder
Sweeping Vistas
V was almost overwhelmed by all there was to explore. Barefoot, she darted in and out of the pools, navigating the jagged rocks like a pro. Picking up every single piece of seaweed she spotted, she tried her best to associate it to the seaweed mommy puts in her salad, then tried to eat it, then became fascinated by its many different textures; so many things to discover and feel and smell and see (and taste!).
exploring leo carrillo state park tide pools with a todder
Rock Hopper
When she wasn’t bouncing from rock to rock, she was standing as still as a statue reveling in the ebb and flow of the sea anemone’s tentacles as it drifted lazily in the ocean currents. We spotted what we thought was a sea hare and were bestowed the honor of watching it release its deep purple ink. We were both completely enthralled as we watched the vibrant ink mix and swirl and spread in the little pool of water it called its home.
exploring leo carrillo state park tide pools with a todder
Tide Pools
It was hard to keep her from trying to pry off every starfish she saw, but it was also a great conservation conversation starter. As we walked along the soft sand, we discussed the importance of tide pools and the role they play in our environment. She understood, as much as an almost 3 year old can, then she was off and running again towards the coastal caves for a game of hide and seek.
exploring leo carrillo state park tide pools with a todder
Cave Dweller
So fun, so much to explore and so many opportunities to learn! I feel so lucky and blessed to live in such close proximity to such wonders that I can share with my toddler!