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Friday, April 8, 2011

Mac And Minty Meatballs Marinara

My son loves meatballs.As a matter of fact, we all do. Ergo,I always make large batches and freeze a portion of them in single serving boxes cause I never know when or how often he(we) would want it..badly! Meatballs are an ultimate comfort food for many and its no different in our family. I am constantly experimenting with new ingredients, alternating between baking and stove-top cooking but always coming to the same conclusion- Fabulous! Yea, this is one dish that has never failed me so far. So beyond being tasty, comforting and substantial it is also very very forgiving! That is what I love about meatballs. You can't really go wrong with the taste no matter how hard you try. Now that is something you cannot say about many dishes.
I also have to say that I am partial to meatballs in marinara sauce(If you follow me regularly you would know how I have sung praises about this wonder sauce here) which is pretty much why I always use it to coat my meatballs in. Have you ever tried meatballs with raisins? I was inspired to try it after I saw Oprah rave in one of her talk-show episodes about her favorite meatballs that had a secret ingredient -- Raisins.Yeah, Trattoria Mollie's meatballs has black raisins. So here is an adapted recipe for Turkey-Sausage Meatballs With Raisins. I also tried my hand at baking the Meatballs with Broccoli Rabe.You can read that success story here.


Ingredients:
  • 2 Cups Ground Meat (Can be Minced Turkey/Chicken/Pork or a mixed choice)
  • 1/4 Cup Chopped Mint
  • 1/8 Cup Chopped Cilantro
  • 1/4 Cup + 1 Tbsp Reduced-fat Milk
  • 1/2 Cup Chopped Red Onion
  • 2 Cloves Garlic, grated
  • 3-4 Stale Brown Bread, toasted and crumbed
  • 1 Egg
  • 1 Tbsp Coriander Powder
  • 1 Tbsp Cracked Black Pepper or less
  • 1/4 Cup Parmigiano-Reggiano Cheese
  • 1 Tsp Salt or more/less
  • 1 Tbsp Olive Oil
  • Olive Oil for browning the meat balls
  • 1/2 of 26 Oz Jar of Low-sodium Marinara Sauce , any brand
Procedure:
  • Add all of the above ingredients in a wide shallow bowl except the Marinara Sauce.
  • Combine the meat,bread crumbs, mint, cilantro, garlic, chopped onions, salt, cracked pepper, 1 tbsp olive oil and the cheese ONLY until combined. Over mixing will yield tough meatballs.
  • Let the mixture rest for 10-15 minutes.
  • Divide the mixture into golf-ball sized balls (= 25 meatballs ~).
  • Coat a wide non-stick skillet with Olive oil and brown the meatballs in batches for 2-3 minutes per side. Don't fully cook it as it will get cooked in the Marinara Sauce.
  • Drain them on paper towels.
  • Bring the sauce to a boil. Add more salt or pepper if needed. Drop the partially cooked meatballs. Lid the pan and cook the meatballs for 15 minutes turning them gently midway.
  • Enjoy them as is or with any choice of pasta. This time we had it with macaroni because my son loves it.
Enjoy!

22 comments:

  1. somewhat same pinch!...I posted kofta today!...:))
    i never made meatballs with marinara...always made it like koftas with indian gravy! Maybe I should try it sometime!...I like ur step by step! The end product looks delish!
    Smitha
    Smitha's Spicy Flavors

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  2. Wow looks delicious,wonderful dinner option..thanks for sharing dear.

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  3. sounds delicious.never tried meatballs..Will try to make some this weekend

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  4. Wonderful meatballs cl.Captivating pics.

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  5. Wonderful meatballs with awesome marinara sauce.

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  6. Great pictures and a yummy dish lassie!

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  7. Never made meat balls. Looks yummy. Awesome pics CL.

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  8. @CL....the snap looks divine....it is asking me to try it out right away....its that kinda of a snap...;)..you have made it sounds nice n' easy...will try it n' let you know...:)

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  9. Wonderful and tempting meatballs...Love the color...

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  10. Tempting pasta with irresistible meatballs...seriously am hungry even after my lunch..

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  11. This looks so yummy and the meatballs are truly tempting!Love your step by step pictorial...

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  12. I love all of the non-traditional spices you added into these meatballs! Makes them more delicious in my opinion!

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  13. The clicks are way too tempting. Marinara is one of my fav sauces , so I'll love this for sure :-) You sure have so many yummy meat ball recipes here

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  14. Hi dear, How are you? Thank you very much for the warm wishes. Take care :)

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  15. A scrummy meal! I love meatballs ad macaronis.

    Cheers,

    Rosa

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  16. Love that tempting sauce...meat balls look extremely yum....scrumptious meal....

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  17. Hey u changed the Layout..love the big pictures.. Dear,. Awesome post.

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  18. Wonderful recipe..the meatballs in the sauce looks so tempting...just right for a great dinner with family.

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Thanks a bunch for your valuable comments and continued support.They are very much appreciated. Yes,like "Rain on Dry Land" and like "Oasis in Desert Sand".
XoXo, Cool Lassi(e)