MAIN DISHES: MEAT

Grandma’s Meatballs

TESTER’S COMMENTS

I confess: Even though this recipe is easy to follow, I was dreading frying these meatballs. But, they are so-o-o-o flavorful and delicious that I will always prefer them cooked this way! I used the Smoked Barbecue Sauce ([>]) on them. Excellent.

–M.S.

 

½	pound 85% lean ground beef
½	pound ground pork
3	large eggs
6	cloves garlic, finely chopped
1	sweet onion, chopped
1	small red bell pepper, chopped
1	bunch Italian flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped
¾	cup freshly grated Pecorino Romano cheese
1	teaspoon kosher salt
1	teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
½ to 1	baguette (or loaf of French or Italian bread, no seeds)
	olive oil for frying

 

In a bowl, combine all ingredients except bread and oil. Mix thoroughly.

 

Wet half of bread with water, then squeeze out excess water. Tear into small pieces and add to meat mixture. Mix with your hands. It should be sticky but hold together. If too wet (not holding together), wet remaining bread, squeeze out excess water, and add in pieces as necessary to make mixture sticky and hold together.

 

In a sauté pan or skillet over medium heat, warm 1 inch of olive oil until hot. Using ¼ cup of meat mixture at a time, form meatballs by hand or with an ice cream scoop. Add to oil (meatball should sizzle). Turn to brown on all sides. Drain meatballs on paper towels and serve with your favorite sauce.

 

Makes 25 to 35 meatballs.

 

All my life, I thought that these were my mother’s meatballs. One afternoon, when I was actually making the recipe in front of her, she said, “Where did you learn how to make meatballs?” I said, “You taught me.” She replied no, that it was not her recipe. “I don’t put vegetables in, nor do I fry,” she said. “I bake my meatballs.” When I gave her a meatball out of the frying pan, she tasted it and said, “These are Grandma’s meatballs!”—and we laughed. Enjoy!

Jo Ann Gallo, Bloomsbury, New Jersey