Michael Symons Ricotta Meatballs Recipes

MICHAEL SYMON'S MOTHER'S RICOTTA MEATBALLS

Steps:

• Combine ground pork & ground beef in a bowl. Add ricotta cheese and egg. Mix thoroughly. Stir in flat leaf parsley, Parmigiano-Reggiano, nutmeg, and salt. Sprinkle in flour. Form meat mixture into 1" balls. (Sic. What is meant is to form the meatballs, then dust them in flour prior to frying.).
• Warm olive oil in sauté pan over medium-high heat. Fry meatballs until golden brown. Remove from pan & set aside.
• Heat more olive oil in sauté pan over medium-high heat. Sweat onions and garlic cloves in olive oil until translucent (4-5 minutes). Deglaze pan by adding red wine, then cook until liquid is reduced by half. Add tomatoes and chile flakes, then bring to a simmer. Add salt to taste. Add meatballs, then simmer for 30 minutes.

CHICKEN PARMESAN MEATBALLS WITH SOFT POLENTA

Steps:

• Prepare a grill for indirect heat. If using a charcoal grill, build hot coals on one side only. If using a gas grill, heat one side only to medium-high heat.
• For the meatballs: Combine the ground chicken, ricotta, Parmesan, breadcrumbs, parsley, nutmeg, garlic, egg and onion in a medium bowl until just mixed. Do not overwork. Season with salt and pepper. Divide the mixture into 8 portions and roll into balls.
• Heat a cast-iron pan on the hot side of the grill until nice and hot. Brush the pan with enough olive oil to liberally coat the surface, about 3 tablespoons.
• Place the meatballs in the pan and cook, flipping them, until all sides are caramelized, about 3 minutes. Move the pan to the indirect-heat side of the grill and cover the grill. Cook for 5 minutes.
• For the sauce: Add the garlic, oregano and onion to the pan with the meatballs and saute until the onions begin to soften, 2 to 3 minutes. Flip the meatballs, then add the tomato puree and 1/2 cup water. Season with salt and pepper. Cover the grill and continue to cook until the chicken is cooked through and the sauce is reduced slightly, 10 to 15 minutes.
• For topping and serving: Top the meatballs with the mozzarella, cover the grill and cook until the cheese is melted, about 3 minutes. Discard the oregano sprig. Spoon the meatballs on top of the Soft Polenta. Spoon any remaining sauce over top and serve topped with the Parmesan and basil if using.
• (Alternatively, you can cook the meatballs and the sauce as directed in a cast-iron skillet on the stovetop over medium heat, then transfer the skillet to a 400 degrees F oven for 10 to 15 minutes before melting the cheese.)
• Add 4 1/2 cups water, 1 tablespoon salt and the olive oil to a medium saucepot and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Whisk in the cornmeal in a steady stream, until it is all incorporated and smooth. Reduce the heat to medium low and continue to cook at a simmer until the polenta is creamy and fully hydrated, 30 to 40 minutes. Take the saucepot off the heat and whisk in the butter and Parmesan. Season with additional salt and pepper. Transfer the polenta to a large serving bowl.

MEATBALLS

Steps:

• Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a skillet set over medium heat. Cook the onion and garlic until softened but not browned. Let cool and transfer to a large mixing bowl. Squeeze the excess milk from the bread and add the bread to the bowl. Add the beef, egg, oregano, coriander, cumin, cinnamon, nutmeg, lemon zest, salt, and pepper. Mix by hand until smooth. Form into little meatballs, about 1 ounce each.
• Heat the remaining 1/4 cup oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Dust the meatballs in flour and shallow-fry them until golden brown. Transfer to paper towels to drain.
• To serve: Place on a platter and garnish with lemon wedges and torn mint leaves.