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I don’t believe anyone knows for certain who
rolled the first meatball, it may not
even be an Italian
creation. I can imagine some poor mother, desperate to feed her
hungry children, stretching her meager supply of meat by adding
ingredients available to her, eggs, bread, onion, etc.
The Italians seemed to have perfected the art and
properly deserve credit for it. The meatball is a favorite of kids
and adults alike. It has been popularized in song, cartoons and
movies. There must be thousands of versions created throughout the
centuries. Every chef who has experimented with their recipe will
claim that his or hers is the best. Don’t be fooled by any of
it. My recipe is the best and I will gladly share it. Here it is:
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ITALIAN MEATBALLS
½ lb. ground beef
½ lb. ground Italian sausage
1 cup seasoned Italian bread crumbs
2 each eggs
½ cup Parmesan cheese
6 cloves minced garlic
1 medium diced red onion
1 oz. chopped fresh Italian Parsley
¾ Tbs salt
¾ Tbs black pepper
Directions:
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In a sauté pan, coat bottom of pan with
olive oil, canola may be substituted. Add garlic and sauté
until golden brown. Add onion and cook until translucent and
soft.
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In a large mixing bowl, add ground beef,
ground sausage, mix in cooked garlic and onions, break eggs
in separate bowl so you can be sure there is no broken shell
being added. Add the rest of the ingredients and mix well
until even throughout.
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Use a 2-3 oz. ice cream scoop to portion
out meatball mixture and then roll them. Keep a cup of water
near, wetting the hands will make rolling smoother. Place
meatballs side by side in a shallow cookie sheet or aluminum
metal tray.
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Cook at 350° - 375° for 30 - 45 minutes.
Adjust temperature for higher altitude. Your oven may cook
them slower or faster, keep an eye on them. Usually if there
is a brown crust on them, they are ready. Remove from oven
and allow to cool 20 - 30 minutes.
Note: If you make a larger amount of
meatballs, you can use what you need, the rest can be
portioned out in freezer bags and kept frozen for future use.
Servings: 6
Preparation time: 15 - 20 minutes
Cooking time: 30 - 45 minutes |
 
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