Classic Italian Meatballs

A family recipe for classic Italian-American-style meatballs, with sparkling parsley, and garlic.

Meatballs are like Proust’s madeleine, and this old-faculty Italian meatballs recipe is the one which you’ll in no way forget.

Like every adolescence comfort meals, meatballs represent a time, place and flavor that exists simplest in reminiscence.

However when prepared in only the proper way — like these days, right now — one chew right into a scrumptious homemade meatball can transport me back to my mother and father’ Sunday afternoon dinner table.

INGREDIENTS:

• 1/3 cup fresh bread crumbs
• 1/4 cup milk
• 2 egg yolks
• ½ cup grated Pecorino Romano cheese
• 1 tablespoon kosher salt or 1 ½ teaspoons table salt
• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
• 1 pound ground beef chuck
• 1 pound ground pork
• ½ cup fresh Italian flat leaf parsley or basil (or a mixture of both), roughly chopped
• Olive oil

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Put the breadcrumbs in a large bowl and pour the milk over.
2. Add the egg yolks, cheese salt, pepper and garlic to the bowl and mix until combined.
3. Add the meat and parsley. Blend everything together well, using your hands or a large wooden spoon. Use a ¼-cup measuring cup to portion the mixture and roll into balls. They don’t have to be perfect – craggy meatballs have character and hold the sauce better. 
4. Pour enough oil into a large skillet to coat the bottom and place over medium-high heat. When the pan is hot, add as many meatballs as will fit in the pan without crowding. They should sizzle as soon as they hit they pan or the pan isn’t hot enough.
5. Brown the meatballs on all sides. Cover the pan, lower the heat and continue cooking and until the meatballs are firm and cooked through, about 15 minutes total.
6. Serve with homemade tomato marinara sauce or your favorite prepared tomato sauce.

TO BAKE MEATBALLS:

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Mix the meats and seasonings and form the meatballs. 
2. Arrange the meatballs on an oiled rimmed baking sheet.
3. Bake 10 minutes, then turn the meatballs over with a spatula or pair of tongs.
4. Continue baking until nicely browned and cooked through, 10-12 minutes.

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