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Mmmmm Meatballs
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Mmmmm Meatballs
BY PRIYA HUTNER
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Meatballs are the perfect dish for an easy meal. They can be baked or fried, smothered in sauce and served with pasta, rice, quinoa or in a soup. It is unclear where the meatball originated. Most people credit the Italians, but the meatball may have originated in Persia. Meatballs are eaten around the world. Italian meatballs are delicious and easy to make, whether with beef or a combination of beef and pork. In the U.S meatballs are often paired with marinara and spaghetti — in Italy, not so much. And who doesn’t love a delicious meatball parmesan? Although, nothing beats a New York meatball sub. Lamb meatballs offer a Mediterranean flair. Served with Greek tzatziki sauce, they make for a delicious appetizer or main dish. Swedish meatballs are made with a creamy gravy, served
BAKED TURKEY MEATBALLS
1 lb. ground Turkey 1 egg ½ t fresh oregano 1 T fresh basil ¼ C breadcrumbs ¼ C Parmesan cheese 1 t salt 1 t fresh ground pepper 1 t garlic powder
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Oil or spray a baking sheet. I use parchment paper.
Mix ingredients and roll into balls. Place on the baking sheet and bake for 10 to 15 minutes. Turn them halfway through. with mashed or boiled potatoes or egg noodles. Cajun-style meatballs are all about the seasoning. Cajun seasoning is a blend of spices that include paprika, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, crushed red pepper, thyme and oregano, which will pep up any meatball. Moroccan meatballs, or kofta, are prepared with lamb
and seasoned with herbs, paprika and cumin. I love the flavor of meatballs in a harissa tomato sauce served with an egg. The Chinese and Indonesians use pork and fish for their versions of meatballs. The Japanese prepare a meatball dish called, Tsukune, made with chicken meatballs and seasoned with green onions, ginger, garlic, soy sauce and sesame oil. Also hailing from Japan is the deep-fried pork meatball. The Koreans offer a version of meatball, made with beef, scallions, seasonings and Korean gochujang, a paste made with red chili peppers, fermented soybeans, glutinous rice and salt. They can be made spicy or sweet. Vietnamese meatballs are often made with pork. They are also prepared
Poles are known for their meatball dishes: klopsiki, served with sour cream and mushrooms and pulpety, served with a creamy dill sauce and mashed potatoes.
with chicken and served as a standalone dish or in Pho soup. Polish meatballs use pork and beef and are made with gravy. Poles are known for their meatball dishes: klopsiki, served with sour cream and mushrooms and pulpety served with a creamy dill sauce and mashed potatoes. Italian Wedding Soup has nothing to do with getting married but all to do with the marriage of flavors. The soup contains meatballs, escarole, pasta and herbs. Traditionally beef and pork are used for the meatball, but I make my Italian Wedding Soup with turkey meatballs. Ground turkey and chicken make an excellent meatball for those who don’t eat red meat or pork. Seasoning is the key to creating a meatball from around the world, cumin and cilantro for a Mexican flare or curry for a touch of Indian flavor. The U.K., particularly South Wales, offers a unique twist on their meatball using ground pork and organ meat. But meatballs don’t always have to be made with meat. White bean meatballs prepared with cannellini beans and herbs such as basil and oregano are an excellent substitute for meat and delicious in soup. Vegetarian meatballs can be made with a variety of ingredients like chickpeas, black beans, white beans, lentils, mushrooms or walnuts. They can be held together with eggs, quinoa, oats or breadcrumbs. Beyond Burger and Impossible Burger vegetarian options offer a meatier consistency. Enjoy going around the world with meatballs.n
CRAB FEED BENEFIT
Incline High School Boosters Club’s annual crab feed benefit is on March 19 at Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe to support programs that benefit the community’s students. This year’s 1980s-themed event features a chef-selected crab dinner, silent and live auctions and entertainment provided by Incline High School students and New Wave Crave, a 1980s tribute band.
Tickets are $100 or $150 for VIP. | inclineboosters.com or info@a-typical. com
TAHOE NATIONAL BREWING OPENS
Tahoe’s newest brewery has opened in Tahoe City offering brews including an English IPA and Kolsch to enjoy on the patio and deep dish pizzas, salads and pretzels available for take out.
The new brewery is open at 850 N. Lake Blvd., Suite 21 (behind the Safeway). | tahoenational.beer
