Italian Meatballs And Ravioli With Caramel Pear Crisp Recipes

ITALIAN-AMERICAN MEATBALLS

Steps:

• Grate the bread or pulse into crumbs in a food processor. In a small bowl toss the bread crumbs with milk to re-hydrate.
• In a large bowl, combine the bread crumbs, pork, veal, beef, Parmesan, parsley, salt, onion, garlic, and egg and mix until combined. Season the meat mixture with pepper.
• Using your hands, gently form the meat mixture into 18 slightly larger than golf ball-sized balls. (Packing the meat mixture too tightly together will result in tough meatballs). Refrigerate for at least 1 hour or up to 24 hours.
• Heat half the oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add half of the meatballs and cook, turning occasionally, until well browned on all sides, about 6 minutes. Transfer the meatballs to a plate. Drain the oil and wipe out the skillet, return to the heat, and repeat with the remaining oil and meatballs.
• Drain and wipe out the skillet again. Return all the meatballs to the skillet and pour in the marinara sauce. Bring to a boil, lower the heat, and simmer, covered, swirling the pan occasionally, until the meatballs are cooked through about 15 minutes. The cheese in the meatballs will start to melt when the meatballs are ready. Serve immediately with the Quick Marinara Sauce and spaghetti or on sandwiches. If serving with spaghetti, toss with 1/3 of the sauce.These meatballs can be stored, covered in the refrigerator for 3 days, or frozen for up to 6 weeks.
• Copyright (c) 2004 Television Food Network, G.P., All Rights Reserved.
• Serving suggestions: 1 pound cooked spaghetti or linguini.
• Quick Marinara Sauce
• 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 1/4 medium onion, diced (about 3 tablespoons)
• 4 cloves garlic, sliced
• 3 (28-ounce) cans whole, peeled, tomatoes, roughly chopped
• 3 sprigs fresh thyme
• 1 small bunch fresh basil, leaves chopped
• 2 teaspoons kosher salt
• Freshly ground black pepper
• Heat the oil in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Saute the onion and garlic, stirring, until lightly browned, about 5 minutes. Add the tomatoes, the herb sprigs and basil and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer, uncovered for about 15 minutes or until thickened
• Remove and discard the herb sprigs. Stir in the salt and season with pepper, to taste. Serve or store covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, or freeze for up to 2 months.
• Copyright (c) 2004 Television Food Network, G.P., All Rights Reserved.

ITALIAN MEATBALLS AND RAVIOLI WITH CARAMEL PEAR CRISP

Steps:

• Italian Meatballs and Ravioli:.
• Bring water to boil for pasta.
• Cut squash lengthwise into quarters, then cut into bite-size pieces.
• Chop peppers and basil.
• Preheat large, nonstick sauté pan on medium 2-3 minutes. Place oil in pan, then add meatballs; cook 3-4 minutes or until browned on all sides. Add zucchini to meatballs; cook and stir 2-3 minutes or until zucchini is tender.
• Cook pasta following package instructions.
• Reduce heat on meatballs to medium-low. Add peppers, bruschetta, and stock to meatballs; simmer 7-8 minutes or until meatballs are 160°F.
• Drain ravioli and add to meatballs; stir in basil and top with feta. Serve.
• Caramel Pear Crisp:.
• Preheat oven to 350°F; coat 9-inch square baking dish with 1 teaspoon butter.
• Cut remaining 5 tablespoons butter into small pieces; place in medium bowl to soften.
• Peel (optional), core, and chop pears into 1/2-inch chunks.
• Cut caramels in half; place pears and caramels in baking dish. Add sugar and granola to butter; combine with fingertips until blended and crumbly. Sprinkle mixture over pears.
• Bake 18-20 minutes or until pears have softened and crumb topping has browned. Serve warm.