Nonnies Date Balls Recipes

NONNA'S TRADITIONAL MEATBALLS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Combine the ground beef and ground pork in a large bowl. Set aside.
• In a food processor, combine the milk, eggs, garlic, basil, parsley, cayenne and salt. Process until pureed.
• Add the wet ingredients to the meat and mix to combine. Then add breadcrumbs and Romano, and gently combine; be careful not to overwork the meat.
• With the help of an ice cream scoop (for even sizing), shape the mixture into 2-ounce meatballs and place on a baking sheet.
• Transfer the baking sheet to the oven and bake the meatballs for 30 minutes.
• Add the meatballs to the Roasted Tomato Sauce and simmer for another 30 minutes.
• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
• In a deep lasagna pan, add the garlic, anchovies, olive oil, red pepper flakes and salt. Place the pan on the stovetop and saute for 5 to 7 minutes to soften. Remove from the heat and add the canned tomatoes and oregano; mix well.
• Transfer the pan to the oven and roast until the tomatoes are nicely charred on top, 45 minutes. Let cool, then blend to your liking with an immersion blender; we like our sauce a bit chunky, but feel free to puree if you choose.

DATE-NUT BALLS

Steps:

• Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat; cook and stir dates and white sugar in the melted butter until thick and golden brown, 10 to 15 minutes. Remove saucepan from heat and stir in crispy rice cereal and pecans. Let mixture cool until easily handled, 5 to 10 minutes.
• Form mixture into small balls using your hands.
• Pour confectioners' sugar into a resealable bag; add date-nut balls and lightly shake bag until balls are coated.

GRANDMA'S DATE BALLS (X'MAS COOKIES)

Steps:

• In heavy-bottomed,lg.
• saucepan or pot,melt butter.
• Stir in brown sugar and dates.
• Cook til sugar is melted.
• Remove from heat and QUICKLY stir in egg well.
• Return to med.
• heat, stirring constantly, til boiling.
• Boil and stir 1 minute.
• Remove from heat, stir in rest of ingredients, and let cool off til easily handled.
• Roll into balls, about 1" or so, roll in powdered sugar to coat.
• Store airtight.
• (Can chill if desired, but serve room temp.).

AUNT CASSIE'S DATE BALLS

Steps:

• 1. Mix together in a 12" saucepan dates, butter, brown sugar and water. Cook over medium-high heat for 10-12 minutes or until thickens to a paste.
• 2. Remove from heat and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract. Mix in 2 cups Rice Crispies.
• 3. Allow mixture to cool to touch and then roll into small balls. Roll balls in shredded coconut or powdered sugar.
• 4. Makes about 48 balls.

DATE BALLS

Steps:

• Cook and stir dates, sugar, and margarine in a large saucepan over low heat until sugar dissolves; remove from heat. Fold crispy rice cereal, pecans, and vanilla extract into the date mixture until evenly mixed.
• Grease your hands with margarine. Roll date mixture into 1-inch balls.
• Spread confectioners' sugar into a shallow dish; roll date balls in confectioners' sugar to coat.

NONNIES DATE BALLS

Steps:

• 1. Cook eggs,dates,margarine over low heat until thickened. Let cool. Mix with Rice Krispies and form into balls(1") Roll in coconut.