The Chew: Sicilian Meatballs Recipe

The Chew: Sicilian Meatballs

Mario Batali welcomed Jake Lacy, who just began appearing on the show Girls. He explained that he’s just now realizing what it means to be famous, because people have just recently started recognizing him in public. The handsome actor shared that he enjoys cooking at home, but was unsure if he was a good cook. He admitted to cooking a lot of pizza on a pizza stone with fresh mozzarella. It’s a good thing his wife his Italian and it sounded like he likes Italian food, because Mario Batali enlisted his help to make Sicilian Meatballs. These delicious meatballs are perfect by themselves but even better when served over a dish like Michael Symon’s Perfect Mashed Potatoes.

To get the recipe for these delicious meatballs, click next page.

The Chew: Sicilian Meatballs Recipe Ingredients

• 3/4 lb sweet Italian fennel sausage – removed from casing
• 3 large eggs – beaten
• 1/2 C marjoram
• 3/4 C Pecorino Romano cheese – grated + more to serve
• 1/2 C currants
• 1 recipe Basic Tomato Sauce
• 1 1/2 C panko breadcrumbs – soaked in milk
• 3/4 lb ground beef
• 1/2 C parsley
• 3 cloves garlic – minced
• 1/4 C pine nuts
• 1/4 C extra-virgin olive oil
• kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

The Chew: Sicilian Meatballs Recipe Directions

1. In a shallow bowl, soak the breadcrumbs in enough milk to cover, for 1-2 minutes
2. Drain the breadcrumbs and squeeze them with your fingers to remove excess moisture
3. In a large bowl, combine the soaked breadcrumbs, beef, sausage, parsley, eggs, garlic, marjoram, pine nuts, pecorino, salt and pepper, and currants, then add salt and pepper
4. Mix with your hands until the ingredients come together
5. Wet your hands and form the mixture into 15-20 meatballs slightly larger than a golf ball
6. In a large high-sided saute pan, add the tomato sauce and bring to a simmer
7. Add the meatballs to the sauce and bring to a simmer
8. Cook the meatballs over medium-low heat for 30 minutes
9. Serve with Pecorino Romano cheese grated on top