Maple Turkey Meatballs Stuffed with Cheese

Meatballs

• Vegetable oil (for the baking sheet)
• 3/4 cup breadcrumbs
• 1/2 cup maple syrup (preferably golden syrup for its delicate flavour)
• 1 onion, minced
• 2 garlic cloves, thinly minced
• 1/4 tablespoon crushed hot pepper flakes, or to taste
• 1/4 tablespoon ground fennel seeds
• 2 lb ground turkey meat
• 1 egg, lightly beaten
• Salt and ground pepper, to taste
• 5 oz Alfred Le Fermier cheese or other kind, diced in 8 cubes

Maple tomato sauce

• 1 garlic clove, lightly crushed
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1/2 cup Dark maple syrup
• 4 cups canned ground tomatoes
• Salt and ground pepper, to taste
• 1/4 cup fresh basil, finely chopped

1. Preheat oven to 230 °C (450 °F).
2. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and brush with oil. Set aside.
3. In a large bowl, combine all the ingredients for the meatballs, except the cheese.
4. Shape the meat mixture in 8 large balls and press a cube of cheese into the center of each. Transfer to the baking sheet and cook for 5 minutes.
5. Reduce the oven temperature to 180 °C (350 °F). Continue cooking for an additional 30 minutes.
6. Meanwhile, prepare the tomato sauce. Using a pan suitable for the oven, brown the garlic in the oil over the stove. Add maple syrup and tomatoes.
7. Cook for about 5 minutes or until sauce thickens. Season with salt and pepper.
8. Add the meatballs and basil, and bake in the oven for 35 minutes at 180 °C (350 °F).