Turkey Meatball "Sub" with Pomegranate Reduction & Goat Cheese

... I know, I had you at "goat cheese."

In the spirit of all things healthy, January has got to be a month filled with more calorie-friendly versions of some of our usual favorite comfort foods. Last night I had a serious craving for a meatball sub. You remember the kind. Big meaty white bread with juicy meatballs, a heap of tomato sauce, and a lovely hunkin' melt of mozzarella cheese. Just slap it right to your thighs while you're at it.

Time for a meatball sub makeover. Substitute lean ground turkey for beef. A pomegranate reduction with caramelized onions, and some goat cheese... enveloped in a sweet whole wheat pita pocket and here you have a seriously AMAZING meal. You won't miss the beefy fattiness one bit. I promise!

Ingredients:

1 package whole wheat pita pockets
1 lb extra lean ground turkey
1 medium yellow onion
1 clove garlic
3 tbsp ketchup
2 tsp ginger plus 1 tsp ginger
1 tsp paprika
1 cup plain bread crumbs (whatever you have in your pantry will work just fine)
2 eggs
1/2 cup pure pomegranate juice (none of that concentrate crap)
salt & pepper
2 tbsp olive oil
crumbled goat cheese for topping

Begin by preheating your oven to 400F for the meatballs. Spray and line your baking sheet with parchment paper. Meanwhile, in a large bowl add the ground turkey, minced garlic clove, eggs, bread crumbs, ketchup, 2 tsp ginger, 1 tsp paprika, salt & pepper. Best to do this with your hands- get 'em dirty. Roll into 3 inch balls and place onto baking sheet (they will seem sticky, but that's what will make them moist! Just go with it). Bake for 15-20 min or until browned and firm to the touch. Slice one in half to make sure they are done.

For the pomegranate reduction:
In a medium sauté pan, add the olive oil and heat on medium. Add the diced onion, salt, pepper, 1 tsp ginger, and cook down for 3-5 minutes. Once they reduce in size and begin to caramelize, add the pomegranate juice. Turn the heat down a bit and let them slowly cook down as the meatballs bake in the oven.

Let everything cool, and assemble your sub. Top with crumbled goat cheese and enjoy!