Jack’s Meatballs:

Two Variations –
(1) For Meatball Sandwiches (regular or spicy)
(2) For Meatballs in Spaghetti
Serve it anytime.

Basic Original Ingredients:
Two Pounds of Fresh Ground Hamburger Meat (butcher section).
One Pound Fresh Ground Pork (butcher section).
Taste Note: Buy fresh same day, do not use meat from your freezer.
Fresh Ground Black Pepper.
Table Salt.
Garlic Powder.
Sugar.
Non Stick Cooking Spray, such as Pam, I usually buy the store brand.
Dry Oregano Seasoning.
Dry Basil Seasoning.
Dry Parsley Flakes.
Crushed Dry Red Pepper Flakes.
1/2 Medium Size White Onion (finely chopped).
L & P Sauce (original).
2 Large Fresh Whole Eggs.
Bread Crumbs.
Parmesan / Romano Cheese (I buy the one already grated).
You will need Jack’s Marinara Sauce, prepare this recipe first.


---For Spicy Meatball Sandwiches Only:
Steak Style or French Rolls
Option – Add, 1 teaspoon of Original Tabasco Sauce, 1 tablespoon of Dry Cajun Seasoning, and 1 teaspoon of Red Cheyenne Pepper.

---Optional Sandwich Ingredients ….
Sliced American, Swiss, or Provolone Cheese.


Cooking Items and Utensils:
Optional - Large Deep Dish Cast Iron Frying Pan.
Note: Cast iron pots and pans are perfect for almost any type of cooking you can imagine. If you buy a new one, they must be treated, rub them with pork fat or cooking oil, place in oven at 325 degrees for about 20 minutes, remove and set on top of stove to cool. If after using and food begins to stick, repeat process.

Cooking Tray, preferably 2 trays.
Aluminum Foil.
Large Metal or Wood Cooking Spoon
Sharp Paring or Kitchen Knife
Large Mixing Bowl
Chopping Board
Measuring Cup
Diner Plates
Paper Towels
Ice Cream Scoop
Teaspoons
Tablespoons
Large Serving Plate


This is important:
There are Two ways to Cook Meatballs:

Method Number 1 - Traditional Italian Cooking.
In a cast iron or stainless steel deep dish frying pan or deep pot on med heat, preheat pan.
Add about 5 tablespoons of Olive Oil.
When hot …
Place ‘Meatballs’ in pan.
Once it begins to brown rollover.
When done, remove and place on a separate diner plate.
Repeat until all the meatballs are done.
Note: Health advisory, with increased meat contamination, advised you cook well done to kill bacteria, but do NOT over cook they will be cooked again.

Method Number 2 - The New Preferred Meatball Cooking Method
Pre-heat oven to 350 Degrees.
Place meatballs on cooking trays.
Cook for 25 minutes.
Remove but leave on tray.
Let stand for 10 minutes.


Getting Started .......


Step # 1 - Prepare Baking Trays.
Cover trays with aluminum foil and lightly cover with cooking spray.

Step # 2 - Standard Meatball Preparation
(for – Sandwiches or Spaghetti)......
In a Large Mixing Bowl place the following ingredients:
2 pounds of Fresh Ground Hamburger.
1 pound of Fresh Ground Pork.
1 Tablespoon of Fresh Ground Black Pepper.
1 Tablespoon of L & P Sauce (original).
1/2 cup of Bread Crumbs.
2 Whole Large Fresh Eggs.
1 level Teaspoon of Table Salt.
1 level Teaspoon of Garlic Powder.
1 Tablespoon of Olive Oil.
1 Teaspoon of Dry Oregano.
1 Teaspoon of Dry Basil.
1/2 Teaspoon of Dry Parsley Flakes.
1/2 Teaspoon of Sugar.
2 Tablespoons of Parmesan / Romano Cheese.
Mix with hands very well.
Note:
If mix is to dry add small amount of Olive Oil and L&P Sauce.
If mix is too wet, add small amount of Bread Crumbs.

There are two ways to make meatballs...
The method I prefer is to use an ice cream scoop. This makes the meatballs uniform in size.
Simply scoop the meatball and place in palm of hand, now roll gently getting it round and the air out.
Place on prepared aluminum baking tray, approximately 2 inches apart.
Some people like large meatballs, simply grab a handful, it should fill the palm of your hand, now Roll ‘Meatballs’ into ball, getting out all the air. Now place on prepared baking tray.

Note: If you like your Meatballs on the spicy side, which I find good for ‘Meatball Sandwiches’ then add the following ingredients to the original mixture in the mixing bowl above …
--- 1 Teaspoon of Tabasco Sauce
--- 1 Tablespoon of Dry Cajun Seasoning
--- 1 Teaspoon of Cayenne Red Pepper



Next …
You will need Jack’s Marinara Sauce.
To cook 3 pounds of meatballs you will need approximately 4 quarts of sauce.
If you didn't make the sauce the same day, preheat the sauce, bring it to a boil, turn to simmer.

If you chose to use the traditional Italian Meatball cooking method, you can use all the essence of the bottom of pan, simply scrap and mixed in with sauce.

In either method of preparing (cooking meatballs) add the finished cooked meatballs to the sauce. Drop in slowly and carefully as not to burn yourself or splash the sauce.

Cook for about 25 minutes, gently stir occasionally so as sauce doesn’t stick to the bottom of the pot.

Cooking Hint: To avoid breaking meatballs with spoon when stirring, simply place spoon down the side of pot, use the backside of spoon and gently move across the pot to stir (takes some practice).


Serving Directions for Meatball Sandwiches:
Open sandwich roll, place on diner plate, place cheese of choice on roll, if desired. Now add ‘Meatballs’ with sauce.
Add Parmesan / Romano Cheese.
Serve.

--- If you want to use the ‘Meatballs’ for spaghetti, I suggest freezing the meatballs in Tupperware containers for at least 3 days. This will actually enhance the flavor, but it is not necessary, you can use the sauce and meatballs for eating immediately with pasta.
I like to serve my pasta in pasta bowls.

If sauce or meatballs are frozen …
Remove night before.
Place in pot, heat.
Select type of pasta / spaghetti you like.
Add Parmesan / Romano Cheese
Serve


For you Hungry Man Types:
Ice Tea for Lunch.
Cold Beer in frosty mug for Diner.
Garden Side Salad on the side.
Potato Chips go well with Meatball Sandwiches.


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Now You're Cooking with JACK
Just Another One of Jack's Famous Recipes
Got a Question, Comment, Suggestion or would like to submit a tasty recipe meal, email me at:
jacksrecipes@yahoo.com

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Both children and adults love meatballs.
Note - I found the spicy meatball sandwiches make great Super Bowl food.