A Meatball You Can't Refuse

Have you noticed I like pasta? Well I especially love these Sicilian Style Meatballs. They're the perfect meatball, moist, flavorful, easy to make, and they freeze really well so you can make a bunch and save some for later! Or you know, just eat them all up right away!

Here's what you will need to make them yourselves. Ground meats (I used a combo of beef and turkey), onion, breadcrumbs, fresh basil, parmesan cheese, an egg and craisins. Yes craisins. It might sound weird but don't leave them out! Also I would normally put in some garlic but I forgot to buy it at the store. :(

In a large bowl soak the breadcrumbs in a little bit of milk. Then dump in the rest of the ingredients along with some salt and pepper and get to mixing! Don't be afraid to get in there with your hands. Roll out the meat mixture in 1 1/2 inch balls and put on a greased cookie sheet. I put down some aluminum foil first for easy clean up. Bake at 350 degrees for about 30 minutes.

In the meantime make some sauce for the meatballs. You can of course use store bought tomato sauce, but that's not the way I roll. I took a photo of ingredients for the sauce but had a major case of the brain farts and left out like half of the ingredients so I thought I'd just tell you about them. You will need an onion, olive oil, a splash of wine, crushed red pepper flakes, dried oregano, canned diced tomatoes, tomato paste, chicken broth, brown sugar and fresh basil. Once again I would also put in lots of garlic but like I said before, brain farts today. Saute chopped onions (I used white and red) until soft with a little bit of salt and pepper. Splash in some red wine, I used Marsala, and reduce. Sprinkle in the crushed red pepper and oregano. Dump in the diced tomatoes, tomato paste and chicken stock. Simmer on medium low to thicken the sauce.

When the meatballs have finished baking take them out of the oven and dump into the sauce along with the chopped basil. Stir the delicious goodness together and it's ready to go!

Serve on top of your favorite paste. My poison of choice tonight was linguine. My brother provided some lovely garlic toast to go with the pasta. His secret to yummy toast is lots of cheese! No complaints here. Mmmmmm, if I had a Sicilian grandmother I think she would be proud.

Here, you can have the first bite! Go on, the Sicilian grandmother side of me says you're too thin and you need to eat more! Mangia Mangia!

Sicilian Style Meatballs
adapted from Epicurious.com

2/3 c breadcrumbs
3 tablespoons milk
1/3 c Parmesan cheese
1/4 cup finely chopped onion
3 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
1 egg
1 minced garlic clove
1 lb ground beef, turkey, pork, or combination
2 tablespoons chopped craisins
1/2 tablespoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper

Soak the breadcrumbs in the milk for 5 minutes in a large bowl. Add in rest of the ingredients and mix well. Roll mixture into 1 1/2 inch balls and place on a greased baking sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for about 30 minutes, or until cooked through. While meatballs are cooking make sauce.

Tomato Sauce

1 chopped large onion
3-4 minced cloves garlic
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/2 cup red wine
pinch crushed red pepper flakes
1 tablespoon dried oregano
32 oz can diced tomatoes
6 oz can tomato paste
1/2 cup chicken broth
2 tablespoons brown sugar
2 tablespoons julienned fresh basil

Saute onion and garlic in olive oil with salt and pepper until softened. Add red wine and simmer until reduced. Add pepper flakes and oregano. When wine is reduced to about half add tomatoes, tomato paste, chicken broth and brown sugar. Simmer on medium low heat until thickened.

When meatballs are ready remove from the oven and add to the sauce along with the basil. Stir and serve over pasta.