Meatballs

Making meatballs is a versatile and straightforward process that can be adapted to various cuisines and preferences. Below is a classic recipe for Italian-style meatballs, which you can serve with pasta, in sandwiches, or as an appetizer.

Ingredients:

• 1 pound ground beef (you can mix with ground pork or veal if you like)
• 1/2 cup breadcrumbs (Italian-style or plain)
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 large egg
• 1/4 cup milk
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
• 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional for a little heat)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil (for frying)

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Meat Mixture:
   • In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef (or a mix of ground meats), breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan cheese, chopped parsley, minced garlic, egg, milk, salt, pepper, oregano, basil, and crushed red pepper flakes (if using).
   • Mix everything together gently with your hands until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can make the meatballs tough.
2. Form the Meatballs:
   • Roll the mixture into balls about 1 to 1.5 inches in diameter. You should get around 15-20 meatballs, depending on the size.
   • Place the meatballs on a plate or baking sheet while you heat the oil.
3. Cook the Meatballs:
   • Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
   • Once the oil is hot, add the meatballs in batches, making sure not to overcrowd the pan.
   • Brown the meatballs on all sides, turning them carefully with tongs. This should take about 8-10 minutes.
   • Once browned, you can choose to finish cooking them in the skillet by lowering the heat and covering the pan, or you can transfer them to a baking sheet and finish cooking them in the oven.
4. Optional: Finish in the Oven:
   • Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
   • Place the browned meatballs on a baking sheet and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until fully cooked through.
5. Serving Suggestions:
   • Serve the meatballs with your favorite pasta and marinara sauce.
   • Use them in a meatball sub with marinara sauce and melted cheese.
   • Serve them as an appetizer with a dipping sauce of your choice.

Tips:

• Customization: You can customize the meat mixture by adding different herbs, spices, or cheeses to suit your taste.
• Freezing: Meatballs freeze well. You can freeze them raw or cooked. To freeze raw, shape the meatballs, place them on a baking sheet to freeze individually, and then transfer to a freezer-safe bag. Cook directly from frozen by adding a few extra minutes to the cooking time.
• Sauce: If making a tomato-based sauce, you can cook the meatballs directly in the sauce after browning. This adds extra flavor to the sauce and ensures the meatballs are tender.

Enjoy your homemade meatballs!