Ricotta And Cinnamon Meatballs Recipes

CHICKEN MEATBALLS WITH HOMEMADE RICOTTA

Steps:

• For the meatballs: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
• Combine the chicken, breadcrumbs, roasted red pepper, buttermilk, parsley, oregano, thyme, basil, garlic, salt, pepper and red pepper flakes in a large bowl and mix thoroughly. Roll the mixture into 2- to 3-inch balls, though the meatballs can be made into any size desired.
• Place the meatballs on a lightly-greased baking sheet and roast until cooked through and a little brown, 35 to 40 minutes.
• For the ricotta cheese Bring the milk, buttermilk, heavy cream and salt to a boil in a large stockpot over medium heat, then turn off the heat and let sit for 30 minutes.
• Using a very fine strainer or cheesecloth, strain the milk mixture to separate the thick parts, or curds, from the remaining liquid, or whey, over a bowl or container. Discard the whey. For thicker ricotta, let the mixture strain longer so more liquid is removed. Let cool and adjust seasoning if necessary.
• Serve the meatballs hot with your favorite homemade or store-bought tomato sauce and garnish with pieces of ricotta.

CHICKEN, LEMON & RICOTTA MEATBALLS WITH LINGUINE

Steps:

• Cut the chicken into very small pieces using a sharp knife. You can use a food processor, but pulse so it doesn't turn into a paste. Put in a bowl and add half the lemon zest, half the ricotta, half the parsley, the breadcrumbs and mix together. Add the 2 tbsp milk, the egg and a good pinch of seasoning. Mix again.
• Dust a plate lightly with flour. Wet your hands, take a golf ball-sized piece of the meatball mixture and roll into a ball. Set on the floured plate and repeat until all the mixture has been used up.
• Heat a heavy-based frying pan over a medium heat, add the oil, then the meatballs, ensuring they don't touch each other. Cook for 10-15 mins, turning so they brown on all sides. Transfer to a plate.
• Meanwhile, heat a large pan of salted water and add the linguine. Cook following pack instructions, and 3 mins before the end of the cooking time, add the green beans. Drain, saving the pasta water. Rinse the linguine and beans under cool water to stop them cooking further.
• Add the remaining ricotta to the frying pan, breaking it up as much as possible. Pour in the 100ml milk and 2 tbsp of reserved pasta water, then cook down to thicken slightly for a couple of minutes. Add the pasta, beans and remaining lemon zest and parsley. Season to taste, mix in the meatballs and serve.

MEATBALLS WITH RICOTTA

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. In a large skillet cook onion and garlic in 1 tablespoon of the olive oil for 8 minutes or until tender. Cool.
• In a large bowl combine eggs, onion mixture, ground beef, 1 cup Grana Padano, the ricotta cheese, panko, parsley, basil, salt and pepper.
• Mix to form a uniform mass and shape the mixture into 2 inch balls.
• Test one meatball before starting the next process.
• If the ricotta is too watery, add more breadcrumbs or ground beef. If it is too dry, add more ricotta.
• Place meatballs on two parchment­ lined 15x10x1­inch baking pans.
• Brush with the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil. Bake 22 to 25 minutes or until 165 degrees F.
• In a very large skillet bring marinara sauce to boiling.
• Add half of the meatballs to the skillet and simmer, uncovered, 5 minutes or until a nice saucy consistency.
• Garnish with Grana Padano, if desired.

CHEF JOHN'S RICOTTA MEATBALLS

Steps:

• Saute onion in 2 tablespoons olive oil in a skillet over medium heat until onion is translucent, about 5 minutes. Stir garlic into onion and turn off heat. Transfer onion mixture to a large mixing bowl.
• Stir ground beef, ricotta cheese, parsley, egg, kosher salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper with onion mixture until almost combined; stir in bread crumbs and continue to mix until thoroughly blended.
• Roll about 2 tablespoons of mixture into a 1-inch ball for each meatball. Pour 2 tablespoons olive oil in same skillet used to cook onions. Place skillet over medium heat and brown meatballs on all sides in hot oil, about 5 minutes. Hold a crumpled paper towel in a tongs and use it to remove excess grease from skillet.
• Pour marinara sauce and water over meatballs in skillet. Stir to combine and bring to a simmer. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer, stirring occasionally, until meatballs are cooked through and no longer pink in the center, about 30 minutes.