Nonnies Date Balls Recipes

DATE ENERGY BALLS

Steps:

• Process: Add dates, nuts and salt in a food processor fitted with the S-shaped blade. Process until mixture is well combined and sticking together.
• Form balls: Scoop dough from food processor with your hands (or a cookie scoop) and form into small balls using your hands. Enjoy right away or store for later.
• To store: Place balls into a sealed storage container and store in the fridge for 1-2 weeks or the freezer for up to 3 months.

DATE BALLS

Steps:

• Cook and stir dates, sugar, and margarine in a large saucepan over low heat until sugar dissolves; remove from heat. Fold crispy rice cereal, pecans, and vanilla extract into the date mixture until evenly mixed.
• Grease your hands with margarine. Roll date mixture into 1-inch balls.
• Spread confectioners' sugar into a shallow dish; roll date balls in confectioners' sugar to coat.

NONNA'S TRADITIONAL MEATBALLS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Combine the ground beef and ground pork in a large bowl. Set aside.
• In a food processor, combine the milk, eggs, garlic, basil, parsley, cayenne and salt. Process until pureed.
• Add the wet ingredients to the meat and mix to combine. Then add breadcrumbs and Romano, and gently combine; be careful not to overwork the meat.
• With the help of an ice cream scoop (for even sizing), shape the mixture into 2-ounce meatballs and place on a baking sheet.
• Transfer the baking sheet to the oven and bake the meatballs for 30 minutes.
• Add the meatballs to the Roasted Tomato Sauce and simmer for another 30 minutes.
• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
• In a deep lasagna pan, add the garlic, anchovies, olive oil, red pepper flakes and salt. Place the pan on the stovetop and saute for 5 to 7 minutes to soften. Remove from the heat and add the canned tomatoes and oregano; mix well.
• Transfer the pan to the oven and roast until the tomatoes are nicely charred on top, 45 minutes. Let cool, then blend to your liking with an immersion blender; we like our sauce a bit chunky, but feel free to puree if you choose.

NONA'S MEATBALLS

Steps:

• Combine all the meatball ingredients in a large bowl and form into 2-inch balls. (Makes about 18 meatballs.) Heat a large pan coated with oil over medium heat. Add the meatballs and cook until well browned. Reserve.
• Heat the olive oil in a heavy pot over medium heat. Add the onions, celery, parsley and garlic, and saute until tender. Add the crushed tomatoes, tomato puree, tomato sauce, and water and mix well. Add remaining ingredients and season with salt and pepper, to taste. Bring the sauce to a boil, then lower the heat; add the meatballs and simmer, uncovered 2 to 3 hours.

GRANDMA'S DATE BALLS (X'MAS COOKIES)

Steps:

• In heavy-bottomed,lg.
• saucepan or pot,melt butter.
• Stir in brown sugar and dates.
• Cook til sugar is melted.
• Remove from heat and QUICKLY stir in egg well.
• Return to med.
• heat, stirring constantly, til boiling.
• Boil and stir 1 minute.
• Remove from heat, stir in rest of ingredients, and let cool off til easily handled.
• Roll into balls, about 1" or so, roll in powdered sugar to coat.
• Store airtight.
• (Can chill if desired, but serve room temp.).

DATE NUT BALLS

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine Rice Krispies and pistachios. In a large saucepan, combine butter, dates and sugar. Cook and stir over medium heat until mixture is combined., Remove from heat. Stir in vanilla. Pour over Rice Krispies mixture; stir to coat. When cool enough to handle, press into 1-1/4-in. balls. Cool. If desired, roll in confectioner's sugar. Store in an airtight container at room temperature.

DATE BALLS

Steps:

• Melt butter and sugar carefully.
• Add chopped dates and cook until it boils. Take off heat and allow to cool slightly.
• Add milk and salt into well beaten eggs and stir into hot date mixture.
• Boil mixture 2 minutes.
• Add vanilla and nuts.
• Let cool, then add Rice Crispies and stir.
• Butter hands, and shape into well rounded tablespoon size balls and roll in coconut.
• Store in air-tight container.

DATE-NUT BALLS

Steps:

• Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat; cook and stir dates and white sugar in the melted butter until thick and golden brown, 10 to 15 minutes. Remove saucepan from heat and stir in crispy rice cereal and pecans. Let mixture cool until easily handled, 5 to 10 minutes.
• Form mixture into small balls using your hands.
• Pour confectioners' sugar into a resealable bag; add date-nut balls and lightly shake bag until balls are coated.