Meatballs

[Gourmet_Mom]

Ok, I was sooo tired tonight, I took a couple short cuts. On the menu was Sharon's Grandmother's Swedish Meatball recipe. First shortcut, I used store bought no yolk egg noodles. Next shortcut, I baked/broiled the meatballs instead of frying them.

Finally, we've got a very nice teacher leaving tomorrow and someone decided to do an impromptu appy buffet in the teacher's lounge as a surprise. I wasn't going to make anything, but on the way home I remembered the "Oddballs" mix in the freezer. What's a girl to do? I thaw the stuff out and HOPE the first baking meatballs turn out. They did. I'm sure they weren't as good as frying but they were darned good! THANKS Sharon...this is a repeat for sure!

While I was making dinner and the "oddballs" were thawing, I threw on some marinara. After dinner, the "oddballs" were thawed, so I rolled them up appy size and baked/broiled them. (I might also add, both times I used cooking spray on the foil and on the meatballs.) There was a lot of liquid in the foil lined pan, but I tossed them in the marinara...minus the liquid. I just tasted them and it was like eating lasagna without the pasta! The ricotta and seasonings were more pronounced than frying! "Oddballs" are resting in the marinara in a crockpot liner in the fridge...waiting to be set on high in the morning in the lounge for an hour or two before turning back for service. What a cool easy appy this turned out to be! I don't know if my coworkers will appreciate the offering, but I gotta tell you ...I thought they were darn GOOD!

[pjcooks]

I really like this recipe, Daphne. It's good to hear you had success without frying, I'll try this next time.

Aren't they delicious? They'll be the star of the party


PJ

[cjs]

Must try this - can't remember the last time I fried meatballs, been going the oven route for quite some time.

[Harborwitch]

What great ideas! I will certainly try it the next time I do meatballs. Thank you for the heads up on this.

[luvnit]

Daphne,

I always oven-bake my meatballs. I just don't fry them anymore. Looks like Jean does the same thing. I made the same swedish meatball recipe and it was fabulous! I still have to try Sharon's Custard Rich Rolls. I guess we've been feeling a little 'overfed' lately. But now that the holidays are over, I'd like to give em a try.

Maybe we should start a poll?

[cjs]

I love polls!!!

[labradors]

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I love polls!!!

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Me too - especially when they make kielbasa and pierogi.

[Gourmet_Mom]

I chose yes and no for both because I have done it both ways...according to the recipe. Not any more. I'm doing the oven thing from now on! Sooooo much easier...cooking AND cleaning!

[Harborwitch]

Same here Daphne! Geeze it doesn't make any sense to shape the meatballs and put them on a baking sheet, fry them, and then put on another baking sheet until they are all done. I will never fry them again - unless I'm without an oven and have to make meatballs.

[labradors]

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... it doesn't make any sense to shape the meatballs and put them on a baking sheet, fry them, and then put on another baking sheet until they are all done.

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From what I learned when I worked at the caterer's place, I use an ice-cream-style scoop to put the meatballs onto the baking sheet in no time, allowing the individual meatballs to pack very closely, then just bake them until they are done. When I used to roll them by hand and fry them, I hated making meatballs. Now, I love it!