Meatball Cupcakes

I saw this on Good Things Utah and thought it was the GREATEST idea :). It's pretty much a combination of Meat Loaf and Shepherds Pie (the way I make it). My hubby wasn't too keen on the idea of making the "frosting" out of caulifower but I loved it so I made it friendly for both of us :).

Cupcakes

• 1 lb. extra lean ground beef or ground turkey
• 3 tbsp green onion, finely chopped
• 1 med. carrot, washed & finely grated (do not peel)
• 1 med. zucchini, washing & finely grated (do not peel)
• ½ c. whole wheat bread crumbs
• ¼ c grated Parmesan cheese
• ¼ c. bulgur (cracked wheat), must soak in water before adding to meat)
• ¼ c. water
• ¼ c. golden flaxseed meal (ground flax seeds)
• ½ c. milk
• 3/4 tsp salt
• ¼ tsp black pepper
• ½ tsp. garlic powder

Directions:

Put the bulgur and water in a small bowl and allow to sit for 30 minutes. Once the bulgur is ready, put all of the ingredients into a large bowl. Mix thoroughly. Cover bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1 hour.
Use a 1/3 cup measuring cup to portion the meatloaf and press the meat firmly into greased muffin pans. Make the top flat.
Bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes.
Frost the meatball cupcakes with mashed potatoes or cauliflower mash (recipe below)

Frosting Option #1
Cauliflower Mash
This recipe goes with the meatloaf cupcakes.
Ingredients:
1 head of cauliflower, cleaned and cut into florets (about 4-5 cups)
½ c. shredded mild cheddar cheese
dash salt
Directions:

Steam cauliflower until very tender. Place into a mesh strainer to drain. Using a rubber spatula, press the cauliflower to remove excess moisture. It's okay that the cauliflower is getting mashed. Heat the cauliflower before you puree it with the cheese if it has cooled so the cheese will melt.
Put the hot cauliflower, cheese and salt into a food processor and blend until a mashed potato consistency.
Put the pureed cauliflower into a quart size ziploc bag and seal or spoon into a pastry bag with a wide-open pastry tip. Cut a small hole into the bottom of the bag and squeeze the pureed cauliflower onto top of the meatloaf muffin to make it look like a cupcake. Place in cupcake paper. Top the "cupcake" with tiny pieces of diced cheddar cheese, chives, carrots, peas or corn.
Frosting Option #2
4 Medium Potatoes
1/2 C. Shredded Cheese
A dash of salt
Directions:
Peel and boil potatoes until tender, drain and mash. Add a little milk, cheese, and salt.
Follow the third portion of the Caulifower directions.