Grandma's Meatballs

I briefly considered doing a New Year's post . . . and then remembered how horrible I am at keep New Year's resolutions.

Something I'm good at?

Eating meatballs.

One of my happiest childhood memories is sneaking into my grandma's basement and sneaking the meatballs she was keeping warm in a ceramic bowl in her second oven.  (How cool was she?  A second oven??)  They were so insanely good, and I am convinced that those meatballs were made and "hidden" with the sole intention of feeding her grandkids.

I'm now such a good meatball eater, I could go pro.

And as a special little New Year's gift to you, I'm going to share the recipe with you.

You're welcome.

One of the things that makes this recipe so delicious is the soaked pieces of bread that my grandma put in.  Yup, you read that right.  You soak four or five pieces of white bread in cold water for about five minutes and then ring it out.  And by ring it out, I mean squish it between your fingers to get the excess water out.  It's gross.  But totally worth it.

If you are like me and forget to buy the breadcrumbs, just throw five more slices in a 250 degree oven for 30 minutes, turning them half way through and then run them through a food processor.

My grandma fried them, but I am far too lazy for that.  I just put them on a baking sheet and pop them in the oven for 15 to 20 minutes.  Then serve them with your favorite pasta, or just be like me and eat them by the bowlful.

Grandma's Italian Meatballs

• 1 lb ground chuck (medium fat)
• 1/2 lb ground pork (It works really well to buy the packs with ground chuck and pork meant for meatloaf)
• 2 eggs
• 4 slices of Italian bread
• 1 cup bread crumbs
• 4 TBSP grated parmesan 
• 1/2 tsp garlic salt
• 1 tsp salt
• pinch of black pepper
• 2 TBSPs chopped fresh parsley

1. Preheat oven to 375
2. Soak the bread in cold water for about five minutes, ringing out the excess water and pulling the bread apart with your fingers.
3. Combine the meat, eggs, and parsley in a large bowl.  Add the bread.  Then add the dry bread crumbs, garlic salt, and salt.
4. Roll the mixture into one inch balls and place about an inch apart on a baking sheet.  Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, cut a meatball in the middle of the baking sheet to make sure they are done.
5. Enjoy!!

Looking for more of Grandma's recipes?  Check out these!

Stuffed Eggplant

Grandma's Biscotti