Meat Balls

[Erdinger]

Any tips on how to make the 'perfect' meat balls? Thankyou.

[isymcd]

Using a combination of minced beef and minced pork gives them a better texture. Delia has a great recipe in one of her books - think its the complete cookery course.

[cameo]

Chilli Cheese Meatballs

Mix together-
225g lean minced pork or beef,
4 salad onions - finely chopped,
2 garlic cloves - finely chopped,
1tsp chopped red chilli,
2tbsp grated cheese - cheddar, parmesan, whatever you like,
1-2tsp thyme.
Shape into 12 small balls.
Heat 1tbsp of olive oil in a large pan and cook the meatballs for 3-4 minutes, until well browned, (some 'bits' will fall off but don't worry about this!)
Pour in 100ml red wine and bubble vigorously for 1-2 minutes.
Stir in 400g chopped tomatoes, 1 dried bay leaf, pinch of sugar and salt and pepper, bring to the boil and simmer for 8-10 minutes until meatballs are cooked through.
Serve with cooked spaghetti or tagliatelle.

This serves 2, I just double it for our family of 4.
I find that browning the meatballs in batches is a little bit easier!

[indianwells]

Mama's Meatballs





Nicolina DiSpirito was the unsung hero of the reality show, "The Restaurant."

Her son, Rocco DiSpirito, was the star of the show, but Mama, the restaurant's chef de cuisine, was the rock.





Seasoned Stock Mix:
1/2 cup chicken stock
1/2 large sweet onion
4 cloves garlic
1/2 bunch parsley, chopped

Meatballs:
1/2 pound ground beef
1/2 pound ground pork
1/2 pound ground veal
1/2 cup plain bread crumbs
2 eggs
1/2 cup grated Parmigiano Reggiano cheese
2 to 3 pinches chili flakes
2 to 3 pinches salt


To make the stock: Put all the chicken stock, onion, garlic and

parsley in a blender or food processor and puree.

To make the meatballs: Combine stock mix and remaining ingredients except olive oil in a large bowl, and blend with hands just until all of the ingredients are blended together.

Coat hands with a bit of olive oil and form meat mixture into about 2-ounce balls.

Pour about 1/2 inch olive oil into a large, straight-sided pan, and heat over medium heat.

Add the meatballs and brown, turning once.

Using a slotted spoon, remove the meatballs from the oil and put them in a pot of marinara sauce. Simmer for 30 minutes, or until the meatballs are cooked through and tender.

Makes about 20 meatballs.




Personal Note: I will never ever make any other meatball !!!

This is the one my family loves and is the best I have ever tasted. Trust me!



PS, if you can't get veal it's just as nice with half beef, half pork.

[Erdinger]

Thanks for all your 'tasty' sounding answers, going to have fun trying them all out. x