Spicy Calabrian Meatballs Recipes

SPICY ITALIAN MEATBALLS

Steps:

• For the meatballs: Combine the ground beef, pork, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, ricotta, parsley, crushed red pepper, salt, garlic, eggs, milk and black pepper in a bowl. Mash with your hands until thoroughly combined. Form into small balls and place on a baking sheet. Set in the fridge for 1 hour.
• Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Brown the meatballs in batches until nice and deep golden, then move them to a plate.
• For the sauce: Into the same skillet, add the garlic and onions and cook for 2 to 3 minutes. Add the tomato sauce, parsley, tomato paste, sugar, salt, crushed red pepper and black pepper. Reduce the heat to medium low and cook for 15 to 20 minutes.
• Add the meatballs back to the skillet and simmer another 15 minutes. Keep warm until serving.
• Transfer to a chafing dish and serve with frilly toothpicks.

SPICY CALABRIAN CHICKEN MEATBALLS

Steps:

• In a food processor, combine the shallot, garlic, parsley leaves, and chili pepper and pulse until minced. Remove from the processor and rinse out the processor and set aside.
• In a large bowl, whisk together the heavy cream and eggs. Add the panko or breadcrumbs and set aside for 10 minutes.
• Add the minced aromatics to the bowl of softened panko and season with salt and pepper. Add the ground chicken and season with salt and pepper. Use your hands to combine, being careful not to over-mix. If the mixture seems too dry, add a bit more heavy cream and work it in with your hands. If it feels too wet, add a touch more panko. Be careful not to add too much panko, or else you will end up with chicken bricks.
• Form into tablespoon-sized meatballs and set aside. Note: You can fry up a small piece before making the meatballs to taste them first.
• Heat the avocado oil in a wide pot over medium heat. Add the meatballs in batches, and cook for 3-4 minutes per side until browned all over. Transfer to the meatballs and continue frying until all the meatballs brown all over. Cover the plate with foil and set it aside.
• If needed, add a touch more oil to the same pan you used to fry the meatballs and turn the heat to medium. Add the diced onion and cook for 5-8 minutes until it softens and turns golden around the edges.
• Add the minced garlic and minced Calabrian peppers and cook for 45 seconds until fragrant.
• Pour in the white wine or chicken stock and bring to a boil. Scrape up any browned bits stuck to the bottom of the pan.
• Add the crushed tomatoes and bring to a boil. Season with salt and pepper and a pinch of sugar, if desired. Add the meatballs, reduce heat, and simmer, uncovered, for 15 minutes.
• Preheat oven to 400ºF. Arrange the torn mozzarella all over the meatballs and drizzle with 2 teaspoons of extra virgin olive oil. Transfer to the oven for 15 minutes until the cheese is completely melted. If desired, turn on the broiler for 3-4 minutes until the cheese turns golden brown in spots. Remove from the oven.
• Divide the meatballs and sauce between bowls and serve with pasta or crusty bread. Enjoy!

CALABRIAN MEATBALLS

Steps:

• Place bread in bowl, add milk and 2 tbl oil, set aside 15 minutes or until absorbed.
• Toss bread mix, 2 cloves of garlic, mince, salt, juice and zest of the lemon, extra oil, parmesan and parsley in mixing bowl; mix well.
• Shape into balls cover and chill.
• Cook balls in pasta sauce for 15 minutes. Or until cooked through -- this may depend on the size of t he meatballs you decide to make . You can use any bottled pasta sauce or use one of your favourite homemade ones.
• Put over pasta.

SPICY MEATBALLS WITH CHICKPEAS

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350 degrees. Make the meatballs: In a large bowl, combine ground lamb, raw rice, salt, cumin, coriander, cinnamon, onion and garlic. Knead mixture well.
• Coat a sheet pan or roasting pan lightly with olive oil. With wet hands, form mixture into 1-ounce meatballs and arrange in one layer on pan. Bake, uncovered, for about 15 minutes, until lightly browned. Remove and let cool slightly.
• Meanwhile, make the gravy: Place a wide heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add 2 tablespoons olive oil. When oil is hot, add onion, sprinkle lightly with salt and cook, stirring until softened and just beginning to brown, about 10 minutes.
• Add saffron with soaking water, cumin, red-pepper flakes and cinnamon stick. Crush tomatoes with your hands, and add to pot, along with all tomato juices. Raise heat to medium-high, add broth and bring to a simmer. Taste and add more salt or red-pepper flakes as needed. Carefully add meatballs and adjust heat to a gentle simmer. Cover and cook for 30 minutes.
• Warm 2 tablespoons olive oil in a wide skillet over medium-high heat. Add chickpeas and a splash of water and heat through. Season to taste with salt. Sprinkle with chopped parsley or cilantro. Serve each diner 5 or 6 meatballs and plenty of gravy. Add a large spoonful of chickpeas on the side.

SPICY MEATBALLS

Steps:

• Heat oven to 180C/fan 160C/gas 4.
• Put the mince into the mixing bowl. Add the onions, garlic, curry powder, cumin, garam masala, paprika or cayenne pepper and coriander, then mix well. By adding these spices, you'll get a delicious flavour without having to add any salt.
• Add the beaten egg and breadcrumbs, then mix again.
• Divide the meat mixture into 15-18 evensized pieces and shape into balls (they should be about the size of a walnut). Always wash your hands thoroughly after handling raw meat so you don't transfer any germs that may be on the meat to other food or equipment.
• Heat the oil in the frying pan over a medium heat and add the meatballs using a spoon. Cook them for 5 mins, turning until golden brown. Remove from the pan and place them on to the tray. Bake in the oven for 15-20 mins.
• Remove from the oven. Remember to use oven gloves! Allow to cool slightly and serve with a fresh, crisp green salad, some pitta bread and tomato salsa.