January 19, 2026 | Posted in:

[Thanks! You’re now entered to win “Around Our Table” by Sara Forte!] A Recipe for Chicken Parmesan Meatballs

Published: January 2026
Author: Sara Forte
Recipe origin: ‘Around Our Table: Wholesome Recipes to Feed Your Family and Friends’ by Sara Forte (published by Hardie Grant)

In her most personal cookbook yet, ‘Around Our Table,’ Sprouted Kitchen’s Sara Forte shares recipes designed for all of life’s moments, from big celebrations to the quiet times of need. These Chicken Parmesan Meatballs are a perfect example: a more structured take on her classic turkey meatballs from ‘Bowl + Spoon,’ crafted to be an ‘easy sell’ for picky kids and a nourishing gift for new moms.

3 cloves garlic, grated
1 teaspoon fennel seed, roughly chopped
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1⁄2 teaspoon sea salt
1⁄2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
1 large egg
1⁄3 cup / 55g panko
1⁄3 cup / 35g grated Parmesan
1⁄3 cup / 7g well-chopped flat-leaf parsley + more for garnish
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil + more for cooking
1 pound / 450g ground chicken, dark meat included

FOR THE POLENTA
1 cup / 200g polenta
Salt and pepper
2 cups / 475ml water
2 cups / 475ml milk
2 tablespoons salted butter
1 (24-ounce / 680g) jar of marinara
6 ounces / 170g mozzarella, shredded or torn
1⁄2 cup / 50g grated Parmesan + more for finishing

FOR THE CHARD
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
3 cloves of garlic, sliced thin
1 large bundle rainbow chard, chopped
Salt and pepper
Squeeze of lemon
Chopped parsley, for serving
Serves 4–6

In a large mixing bowl, combine the garlic, fennel seed, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, egg, panko, Parmesan, parsley, and oil. Stir to mix well. Add the ground chicken and fold everything in to combine. Let this mixture rest for 15 minutes or in the fridge for up to a day.
Start the polenta. In a large pot over medium heat, combine the polenta, salt, pepper, and water, stir and simmer for 15 minutes. Turn the heat to low, add the milk and continue to simmer, stirring occasionally, for 15 more minutes. We want it to be loose; it firms up as it cools, so add more water or milk for desired consistency. Stir in the butter and taste for seasoning. Cover and set aside.
Preheat the oven to 475°F / 245°C. Warm a thin layer of oil in an ovenproof skillet over medium heat. Form the chicken mixture into small balls and, once the oil is hot, sear the balls. About 3 minutes per side until the outsides are just golden (these can also be roasted for 15 minutes). Turn the heat to low, pour the marinara over the balls, and stir gently. Let the marinara warm up for a few minutes. Put a piece of the mozzarella on top of each ball, plus a sprinkle of Parmesan, and put the pan in the oven for 6 to 8 minutes until the cheese is just golden.
For the chard, heat the oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the garlic and let it cook for 30 seconds until fragrant. Add the chard and sauté for 2 to 3 minutes. Sprinkle with salt and pepper, a squeeze of lemon, and set aside off the heat.
Assemble your bowls. Make a pillow of polenta, add a few meatballs with sauce, and put some chard on the side. Finish it all with some fresh herbs and a sprinkle of Parm.

MAKE AHEAD
Do the searing or roasting step, cover them in the marinara, and keep covered in the fridge a day in advance. To finish, bring the dish to room temperature, add the cheese, and add 5 more minutes to the baking step. To freeze, cook them all the way through during that searing step, cool, cover them in sauce, then package and freeze them.

CHANGE IT UP
Dairy free: You can get away without using the cheese; just increase the panko to 1⁄2 cup / 65g and skip the cheese topping. Use a nondairy milk and butter in the polenta.

Gluten free: Almond meal or gluten-free breadcrumbs may be used as a substitute for the panko. I would suggest keeping the balls small.

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November 18, 2025 | Posted in:

Stuffing Just like Nanny Mac made

Published on: November 20th/2025
Author: Leanne J.
Recipe origin: Canada

In Leanne’s words:
Nanny Mac had many stories of food as well. She had to feed her family and her boarders on a widows pension. When she tried to supplement her income by selling her delicious baking, her subsidy was cut off. When I was growing up, we often ate meals at her apartment. I remember how cozy it was. Simple, yet delicious food. Always a dessert after.

3/4 cup of butter
2 1/2 cups chopped onions
1 cup each chopped celery and fennel (or 2 cups celery) including celery leaves
4 tsp dried sage (don’t be shy)
1 tsp each salt, marjoram, savory and pepper
1/2 tsp dried thyme
14 cups cubed white bread
1 cup chopped fresh parsley

In large skillet melt butter over medium heat, cook onions, celery, celery leaves, fennel, sage, salt, savory, marjoram, pepper and thyme, stirring often for 10-15 minutes or until vegetables are tender. Toss with cubed bread and parsley.

Can put in turkey and cook in the bird. We usually put in casserole dish and cook in 350° oven until hot, basting with turkey fat as the turkey cooks.

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August 12, 2025 | Posted in:

Tomates à la Provençale

Published on: August 7th/2025
Author: Suzana Oliveira & Abeille S.
Recipe origin: France

Tomates à la Provençale is a rustic French dish, especially popular in the summer when tomatoes are at their peak. Simple yet full of flavor, it celebrates the freshness of seasonal produce. This recipe combines the natural sweetness of tomatoes with the aromatic blend of garlic, parsley, and olive oil, creating a taste that captures the essence of the Mediterranean.

This recipe was contributed by Abeille, whose family moved from France to the United States when she was a child. She recently collected a number of her mother and grandmother’s favorite seasonal recipes, and her family especially loves this one served with lamb.

4 market-fresh tomatoes
A large bunch of parsley
1 garlic clove
Olive oil
Salt
Pepper
2 tablespoons of breadcrumbs

Cut each tomato in half horizontally (around the equator).
Heat a generous tablespoon of olive oil in a skillet.
When the oil is hot, place the tomatoes cut-side down in the pan.
Sear them on high heat until lightly browned (about 2 minutes), then flip them over.
Lower the heat to low/medium and cover with a lid.
Finely chop the parsley and the peeled garlic clove.
In a bowl, combine the parsley and garlic.
Add one or two tablespoons of breadcrumbs and 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Season with salt and pepper.
Spoon a generous amount of this mixture onto each tomato half.
Continue cooking on low heat until done.
Delicious served with lamb chops.

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November 13, 2024 | Posted in:

Watercolor carrots with their stems

Roasted Carrots With Pine Nut Gremolata


Submitted by: Peggy
Recipe origin: USA

This recipe comes from the “Peggy’s Table” cookbook by Heritage Cookbook creator Peggy. Gremolata is a type of seasoning typically made of finely minced parsley, garlic, and lemon zest; in this case, orange rind is used instead.

1 tablespoon olive oil
¼ teaspoon kosher salt
¼ teaspoon pepper
1 pound trimmed small carrots
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives
1 tablespoon toasted pine nuts, chopped
2 teaspoons grated orange rind
1 teaspoon minced garlic
1 tablespoon sherry vinegar

Preheat oven to 450℃. Toss olive oil, salt and pepper with trimmed small carrots on a baking sheet. Bake at 450℃ for 20 minutes, stirring after 10 minutes. Reduce oven to 325℃ (keep pan in oven). Bake for 10 minutes more or until tender and beginning to brown.

Combine parsley, chives, chopped toasted pine nuts, grated orange rind and minced garlic. Add to carrots, add sherry vinegar and toss. Serves 2 to 4.

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March 5, 2020 | Posted in:

Pickled Veggies Recipe For Your Custom Family Cookbook

I recently learned how to make quick refrigerator pickles from my greek friend Peggy. Now I’m obsessed! They’re so super quick and easy, deliciously crunchy and spicy. Try pickled onions on burgers, in salads, gourmet sandwiches, next to grilled meats… Or how about pickled beans in a spicy bloody mary (or Ceasar for my Canadian friends!). And pickled jalapenos on fish tacos, picked cauliflower on a cheese and charcuterie platter – well, they just make everything better!
pickled veg

Ingredients for pickled onions, beans, asparagus or cauliflower

1-2 red onions, cauliflower, green beans or asparagus
3 cloves of garlic, peeled and halved
1/2 tsp coarse salt
1/2 tsp sugar
3/4 to 1 cup apple cider vinegar, or as needed to fill your jar (I prefer white vinegar for beans, asparagus and cauliflower)
1/2 tsp pickling spices (you can make your own with peppercorns, mustard seed, coriander seed, bay leaf, chili pepper- experiment with the tastes that you enjoy)

Ingredients for pickled jalapenos

Kalapenos
2 cloves garlic, sliced or smashed
2 tsp coarse salt
1-3 tblsp sugar (higher quantity of sugar will lessen the heat of jalapenos)
3/4 – 1 cup white vinegar
2 thai chili peppers (if you like additional spice)
1/2 tsp pickling spices (see note above)

Preparation instructions

Prepare vegetables- for onion and jalapenos, slice into thin slices
For beans, trim into lengths that will fit into your jar
For cauliflower, trim into small florets
Wash prepared vegetables with hot water from the kettle, dry on a paper towel
Add all spices to the bottom of a clean 8oz jar
Add 1/4″ of the vinegar and stir until dissolved
Pack vegetables tightly into jar.
Pour remaining vinegar over top, push veggies down father, and top up, leaving a little at the top.
Screw top on and label. Keep refrigerated. These will be ready to eat in a day or two.
Eat within two months. Don’t leave these out on the counter for long periods of time- they are not sterilized, so treat them accordingly!
Tip: don’t use metal when preparing these- it doesn’t get along well with vinegar!
Tip: Change up the flavor by adding fresh thyme, dill, ginger, turmeric- whatever you like!

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February 26, 2020 | Posted in:

easy curried lentil soup

Super quick curried lentil soup with coconut milk

This is a recipe I make when I have no food in the house! I often just throw a bunch of vegetables together with some red lentils, spices and broth, and see what happens. But I think this version turned out especially delicious with it’s simplicity and cozy warmth. It’s a breeze to make vegan or vegetarian, although, being French, I tend to go for the dairy/bone broth version!
easy curried lentil soup

Ingredients:

1 tsp olive oil (or other type of vegetable oil)
1 medium onion, chopped
1 tsp grated ginger (I used the jarred kind I had in the fridge)
1 clove garlic
1/2 tsp turmeric
1 tsp cumin
1/2 tsp ground coriander
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
1 1/2 cups red lentils
4 cups broth
1 small 5.5oz can of coconut milk
greek yogurt or sour cream or non dairy alternative for topping
chopped cilantro

Ingredients:

Heat oil in medium saucepan
Add onion, garlic and ginger. Cook over medium/low heat for about 5 minutes, stirring so it doesn’t burn
Add spice. Stir and cook an additional 3 minutes or so.
Add lentils and broth, stir, cover and cook 30 minutes or so until lentils are soft and mushy.
If it gets too dry, add a bit of water. Stir every 10 minutes or so to make sure lentils don’t stick
Add coconut milk.
Heat through.
Serve with a dollop of yogurt, chopped cilantro, and hot sauce (always!)

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May 13, 2019 | Posted in:

Mom’s Cabbage Rolls

cabage rolls hor
Ingredient list

1 large head green cabbage
1 lb lean ground beef
2 C cooked rice
1 t minced onion
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 apple, peeled, cored, and chopped
1 can tomato sauce
2 onions, chopped
3/4 C brown sugar, packed
1-28 oz can tomatoes
1 can tomato paste
1/2 C honey
Juice of 3 lemons
Salt, pepper, paprika
Instructions

Boil whole cabbage in water for 10 minutes. Remove as many leaves as possible. Combine beef, rice, onion, garlic, salt, pepper, and paprika. Place a large spoonful on each cabbage leaf. Roll up tightly. Secure with a toothpick. Cut up the rest of cabbage, add 2 onions and apple. Mix together and spread half of the mixture in two 9 x 13 pans. Arrange cabbage rolls on top. Combine brown sugar, tomatoes, tomato paste, honey, and lemon juice. Pour over all. Cover pans with foil and bake at 300 for 30 minutes. Bake at 325 for 2 1/2 hours. Baste with juices.

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May 10, 2019 | Posted in:

Oven baked parmesan fries

fries 2 hor
Ingredient list

2 Russet Potatoes
1/4 c extra virgin olive oil
Kosher salt & Seasoned salt
2 tbls. chopped parsley leaves
1/4 c freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese
Instructions

Wash potatoes and par boil them in Kosher salted pre-heated water … about 20 – 30 minutes
When done, drain the potatoes and set aside
pre-heat the oven to 400 degrees
Slice the potatoes into wedges – approximately 16 -20
In a bowl add the olive oil , seasoned salt and potato wedges … gently tossing
Place the wedges on a baking sheet and bake for 30 minutes, turning them after 15 minutes
Place on a warmed platter or bowl and top with the parsley and cheese

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April 11, 2019 | Posted in:

Twice baked potatoes

Potatoes-1
Ingredient list

1 large block Velveeta cheese
7 large baking potatoes
1 stick of butter
3/4 cup milk
Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions

Bake potatoes at 425* for 1 and 1/4 hours.
Cut in half and scoop out and mash the insides – save 8 skins.
Mix potato with 1/3 of the cheese, milk, butter, salt and pepper.
Whip into mashed potatoes and put back into skins.
Cut slices of Velveeta and put one slice on each 1/2 potato.
Reheat 10-15 minutes at 375* until hot and bubbly.

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April 5, 2019 | Posted in:

Cabbage rolls

cabbage and onion
Ingredient list

1 head of cabbage
1 med. onion
1 T. butter
2 lbs. ground beef
1 egg (beaten)
1 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
1/2 c. water
2 c. beef broth
Instructions

Remove core from cabbage. Place whole head in a large kettle filled with boiling water. Cover; cook 5-10 minutes. Remove softened outer leaves. Repeat until all leaves are softened and have been removed; drain. Cut thick stem from each leaf. Saute medium onion in butter. Add ground beef, egg, salt, pepper and water. Mix thoroughly. Place about 1/4 cup hamburger mixture at stem end of each leaf. Roll each leaf, tucking ends in toward center. Place cabbage rolls, seam side down, in ungreased baking dish. Pour 2 c. beef broth over cabbage rolls. Cover with foil for 30 minutes. Bake at 350º for about 1 1/2 hours. Makes 4-6 servings.

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