~ Aristotle ~
Let this day be momentous day I am writing my very first blog post!
My attention was brought to the above Aristotle quote and I said yes - this should be my New Year resolution - so I ask Fun junior to create blog for me - specifically to force me to write everyday as well to share my favorite yummy cooking with whoever who wants to follow my postings.
As I was cooking my last meal for my family in 2012 (to be honest with you, cooking is actually not my most favorite activity, but as a mom, I cannot escape these responsibility, I might as well make it fun and yes, yummy for everybody), I realize I am definitely not a follower of recipes. Most of the time, I would look at what I have in the fridge before I even decide on what to cook for tonight.
I had this big bowl of marinated minced beef sitting in the fridge and must be consumed or it would get spoiled. So here you are - I created my very first home made meat balls and it sure beat the Costco frozen ones!
Marinate about 1.5 pound of beef with olive oil, cooking wine, salt & pepper to taste, chopped fresh garlic and ginger too, a few drops of Worchestershire sauce would be nice too because it is beef. (I usually marinate my minced meat this way, and let it sit in the fridge overnight, then I will use it for stir fry - in different dishes - do follow my blog as I will share these recipes as I cook them.)
Back to Meat Balls!
Put the minced beef in a big mixing bowl, crack two eggs, also put the following:
half cup milk
one cup breadcrumbs
1 teaspoon oregano
1 tablespoon parsley flakes
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon black pepper powder
half cup grated cheese
Stir and mix them really well, use your hands if you don't mind. I did use my hands after I stirred the meat well, but I put my hands inside a pair of gloves! Now this is the fun part - Pat and roll the meat ball well, in the size of a ping pong ball.
Mean time, you should also be heating up the sauce on the stove top. I used one jar of spaghetti sauce and one can of Campbell Cream of Chicken soup (please note, do not add the one can water as instructed by the soup preparation direction, you may rinse the can and the jar with a little bit of water each, I consider I am a very frugal cheapskate and I always rinse my cans or jars. In this case, just a little bit of water please, otherwise the sauce will be too runny.) Add a few teaspoon of brown sugar to sauce if you find the sauce too tart, this is optional.
Gradually drop each meatball carefully to the sauce and simmer for about 45 minutes to an hour.
Take a break whilst this is cooking - tea & iPad or coffee & iPad - your choice.
After the break, get the pasta of your choice ready and serve with the yummy meat balls and may be a salad on the side.
Both Senior Fun and Junior Fun loved the home made meat balls and I consider it a big success - good sign going into New Year. I hope you will have success too trying this home made meat ball recipe.
Remember - cooking is an ART FORM - you need to do it regularly with creativity and you will achieve excellence - make it a habit!
I will ring in my New Year with a stomach warm and filling with chewed meatballs and orange red sauce running around it! Have FUN!
