Simple Meatballs Recipe

Simple Meatballs Recipe

Ingredients

Makes About 24 Medium Meatballs

• 1/3 cup toasted whole wheat breadcrumbs (see pastas)
• 1/3 cup milk
• 1 large egg
• ¼ cup grated parmesan cheese
• a handful of chopped flat-leaf parsley
• ½ cup very finely minced yellow onion
• ¾ teaspoon salt
• freshly ground black pepper
• 1 pound ground chuck
• 1 to 2 tablespoons olive oil

Method

1. In a medium-large bowl, stir together the breadcrumbs and milk
2. Let sit for a minute or two
3. Lightly beat the egg in a small bowl
4. Add the egg, cheese, parsley, onion, salt, and about 5 grinds of black pepper to the breadcrumb mixture, mixing well with your fingers
5. Crumble in the ground beef, and use your hands to mix everything gently until it’s just combined
6. Set out a tray or a couple of dinner plates to hold the formed meatballs
7. Wet your hands with cold water and gently roll the meat mixture into 1½-inch balls, placing them on the tray or plate as you go
8. You should end up with about 24 meatballs
9. Wash your hands thoroughly after handling the raw meat
10. Place a soup pot, dutch oven, or large (10-to 12-inch) heavy skillet over medium heat
11. After about a minute, add 1 tablespoon of the olive oil and swirl to coat the pot
12. Add just enough meatballs to fit comfortably, and cook undisturbed for about 2 minutes, or until the surface touching the pot is deeply browned
13. Turn the meatballs carefully with tongs to brown them all over
14. They are done when no longer pink in the middle (you can peek with the tip of a sharp knife)
15. Total cooking time should be 10 to 12 minutes
16. If you have more raw meatballs to cook, take the cooked ones out of the pot, set them on a clean plate, and cover them loosely with foil
17. Brown the remaining ones, adding more olive oil to the pot for each batch
18. Once all the meatballs are fully cooked, return them to the pot to reheat briefly
19. They’re now ready to be eaten as is, or simmered gently in your favorite tomato sauce and tossed with pasta

Full List of Meat Recipes
Full List of Meatball Recipes