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Meatballs

Some people put their meatballs in the sauce and some fry theirs. Since I like sauce less greasy, I bake mine in the oven with some store bought marina and freeze them separately on cookie sheets.When we want them, I defrost a few on reheat in the microwave and pop them in the sauce while it's reheating. I also use veal for lightness and pork for flavor. I don't know what the ground chuck does. Let?s go!
Author: Gerry Rao

Ingredients

For Breadcrumbs

  • 3-4 cups of unseasoned bread crumbs
  • 3/4 cup grated cheese Please don?t use that sawdust in a can
  • 1 1/2 tsp. oregano
  • 1 tsp. salt and pepper
  • 3/4 cup fresh parsley

For Meatballs

  • 2 pounds ground chuck
  • 1/2 cup grated cheese Pecorino/Romano
  • 1/2 pound ground veal
  • 1/2 pound ground pork
  • 3 large eggs
  • 3 cups fixed breadcrumbs (recipe follows)
  • About 1/2 to 1 cup milk and water as needed
  • 1-2 cloves of garlic pressed
  • 1 tsp. each salt and pepper

Instructions

For the breadcrumbs

  • Process about 3-4 cloves of garlic in a food processor till finely chopped
  • Add bread crumbs 3-4 cups,
  • Add parsley and oregano. Pulse until parsley is finely chopped.
  • Remove to a large bowl add grated cheese - 1/2 to 3/4 cup and salt and pepper to taste
  • I use about 1 cup of fixed breadcrumbs per pound of meat. Let these sit for a day so the flavors will blend.

For the meatballs

  • Mix meats, eggs, bread crumbs, cheese, salt, pepper, parsley and garlic in a large bowl.
  • Start mixing this with your hand, add milk and mix well, add enough warm water to make a semi-soft mixture.You want the meatballs to hold their shape. If you think it's too soft, add a little more breadcrumbs.
  • Using the cheap disposable foil pans, About the size of large cake pan, cover the bottom with 1-1.2 cups store-bought sauce
  • With a small bowl of cold water at hand, start shaping meatballs. I would guess about 1/3 cup or use an ice cream scoop.(dip your fingers in the cold water and shape the meatballs)
  • Make them whatever size you want. (Just think, you won't have to make them for a long time). Cover pan and place in a 350 degree oven for about 15 minutes, turn and bake 20 minutes longer.

Notes

You shouldn't need all the breadcrumbs for the meatballs you can save the remainder for cutlets.
Now you have sauce for pasta and meatballs for hot meatball sandwiches with sauce, of course, and enough to have all the neighbors over for dinner. Good eh? You?re well on your way to becoming a great cook after this ordeal.