“Itai” Meatballs and a “Keys to the Kitchen” Giveaway
October 25th, 2012
Culinary Extraordinaire Aida Mollenkamp launched her very first cookbook this week. It is called the “Keys to the Kitchen- The Essential Reference for Becoming a More Accomplished, Adventurous Cook ”. I feel like Aida has really aimed to recreate the traditional cookbook, because in addition to the 300 recipes (!!) she has also added tons of resources, ingredient and technique information, and an amazing amount of tips on how to NOT cook exactly from a recipe. She calls this “cooking from the hip” and I think it is a real service to people who are still getting comfortable in the kitchen.
Her incredibly informative and creative cookbook breathes new life into cooking for a younger generation. Every recipe is more interesting than the last, and none of them are basic. They are all packed with unique flavor combinations and ingredients that while easy to find, I had often not thought to use together. Very cool, and certainly inspiring.
After I was invited to the Keys to the Kitchen Virtual DInner Party (lucky me!) Pete and I went through the huge book, and I let him choose a few recipes that made his tummy rumble, and then I got final say. I had to go for these meatballs. If you add some spaghetti and tomato sauce, than this is a TOP COMFORT FOOD of all time for me!! They just looked to dang good. And guess what? They actually blew-my-mind. I ate two right away and Pia ate one. (Please keep in mind that they are the size of a baseball.) I really couldn’t help myself. They were so flavorful and so tender, but with a little bit of crispiness on the bottom.
After Pia and scarffed them down in the afternoon, I reheated them up later that evening with spaghetti and tomato sauce and served everything with a generous portion of grated parmesan. Amazing.
I actually was so incredibly thrilled with this recipe that I am going to buy a copy of this book for one of you guys.
If you would like to enter to win a copy of Aida Mollenkamp’s “Keys to the Kitchen”, please leave a comment on this post about what your favorite comfort food is.
**The giveaway is open until Tuesday, October 30th at 11:59 p.m. MST. The giveaway is only open to USA residents. Be sure a valid email address is included with your comment. Winner will be chosen randomly (random.org) and announced on this post Wednesday, October 31st in the morning. I will email the winner and if the winner doesn’t respond in 48 hours, a new winner will be chosen. Good luck!
THIS CONTEST IS CLOSED!!!
The winner is #13:
alexa turner
Submitted on 2012/10/25 at 6:23 am
“These look delicious! I would say my favorite comfort food is any kind of quickbread.”
To make these meatballs, this is what you do:
Heat the oven to 375 degrees and arrange a rack in the middle.
Add the onion, cheese, pine nuts, sun-dried tomatoes, Worcestershire sauce, salt, red pepper flakes, garlic and eggs to a food processor and pulse until very smooth.
Transfer to a large bowl along with beef, pork, bread crumbs, parsley and oregano and gently mix together until everything is thoroughly combined.
Divide the meat into 12 parts and roll between your palms until you have a ball. (Keep in mind these are HUGE meatballs, about the size of a baseball!) Put the meatballs on a rimmed baking sheet.
Bake until the meatballs are firm and just cooked through, 25-30 minutes.
Eat alone or eat with tomato sauce or with spaghetti.
Recipe: “Itai” Meatballs
Ingredients
- -½ red onion, finely chopped
- -½ cup grated parmigiano-reggiano cheese (plus more for serving)
- -3 Tbs toasted pine nuts
- -3 Tbs sun-dried tomatoes, minced
- -1 Tbs Worcestershire sauce
- -2 ½ tsp kosher salt
- -1 ½ tsp red pepper flakes
- -4 garlic cloves, finely chopped
- -2 large eggs
- -1 lb ground chuck beef, chilled
- -1 lb ground pork, chilled
- -2/3 cup panko bread crumbs
- -¼ cup finely chopped fresh Italian parsley
- -2 Tbs minced fresh oregano
Instructions
- 1. Heat the oven to 375 degrees and arrange a rack in the middle.
- 2. Add the onion, cheese, pine nuts, sun-dried tomatoes, Worcestershire sauce, salt, red pepper flakes, garlic and eggs to a food processor until very smooth.
- 3. Transfer to a large bowl along with beef, pork, bread crumbs, parsley and oregano and gently mix together until everything is thoroughly combined.
- 4. Divide the meat into 12 parts and roll between your palms until you have a ball. (Keep in mind these are HUGE meatballs, about the size of a baseball!) Put the meatballs on a rimmed baking sheet.
- 5. Bake until the meatballs are firm and just cooked through, 25-30 minutes. Eat alone or eat with tomato sauce or with spaghetti.
Preparation time: 15 minute(s)
Cooking time: 30 minute(s)
Number of servings (yield): 12
These look incredible! My favorite comfort food is probably tatertot casserole.
12:47 am on October 25th, 2012
!!!!!!!!!! This is SOOOOO exciting and I can’t wait to make this recipe. My favoritie comfort food is called Mamaliga. It is the Romanian version of polenta and you layer it with all kinds of different cheeses and sour cream . OH SO GOOD.
1:52 am on October 25th, 2012
So many to choose from! One of them would be warm apple pie with vanilla ice cream.
2:45 am on October 25th, 2012
My favorite comfort food is roast chicken and mashed potatoes!!!
3:25 am on October 25th, 2012
Baked chicken.
3:45 am on October 25th, 2012
The meatballs sound wonderful. My comfort food is a roasted chicken with all the fixings.
4:06 am on October 25th, 2012
Any type of pasta is a great comfort food for me! Carbonara and macaroni and cheese are two of my favorites! I love Aida’s cooking shows!
4:46 am on October 25th, 2012
Spaghetti and meatballs/meat sauce is my favorite comfort food – especially loaded up with garlic and spices. And, if I’m feeling dangerous… I swap my usual whole wheat pasta for delicious regular white pasta.
4:55 am on October 25th, 2012
My comfort foods change, but right now it’s brie bacon quiche and sourdough toast. With Trader Joe’s organic, low sugar jam.
:-)
5:24 am on October 25th, 2012
These look divine! We love meatballs and I will definitely try this recipe out. My favorite comfort food is pasta carbonara. It takes me back to Italy and my mom’s kitchen. It makes me feel all warm and gooey inside.
5:31 am on October 25th, 2012
Chicken & Dumplings. I am a southern girl!
5:37 am on October 25th, 2012
Gnocchi with light tomato sauce and a good shaving of parmesan…stunning.
5:54 am on October 25th, 2012
These look delicious! I would say my favorite comfort food is any kind of quickbread.
6:23 am on October 25th, 2012
My favorite comfort food is ANY type of saucy pasta: spaghetti w/sauce, lasagna, fettucine alfredo, etc.
6:35 am on October 25th, 2012
mashed potatoes swimming in delicious gravy
6:53 am on October 25th, 2012
These sound amazing!!! Pine nuts and the sun-dried tomatoes sound like a tasty addition. Can’t wait to try them.
6:53 am on October 25th, 2012
My favorite comfort food is definitely baked macaroni and cheese. I love the richness of the cheese and the crunchy baked crust! :)
7:05 am on October 25th, 2012
My favorite comfort food of the moment is potato cheese soup, really any time of year, but especially now with the cool fall weather. This book looks great!
7:18 am on October 25th, 2012
My favorite comfort food is meatloaf with mashed potatoes and green beans.
7:24 am on October 25th, 2012
My current favorite comfort food is the butternut squash and corn chowder (lightly curried) that was on Ezra Pound Cake a bit back. I add chickpeas and it’s reminiscent of the Curried Vegetarian Shepherd’s Pie from the Washington Post that is amazing too. SO GOOD. My kids however, would say meatballs are their favorites. Going to try this one shortly!
7:29 am on October 25th, 2012
Favorite comfort food has to be potato soup, with cheddar and sour cream!
7:33 am on October 25th, 2012
Roast, sauerkraut and spatzle with gravy.
angie@carrabbasoriginal.com
7:37 am on October 25th, 2012
Macaroni and cheese, no question! : )
7:39 am on October 25th, 2012
I have cabbage rolls on the brain today. I think because I am about to roll almost 100 of them for throw in the crock pot before work frozen dinners! AND I cannot wait to eat them later! :)
8:05 am on October 25th, 2012
When it comes to this time of year, I tend to have a couple of favorite comfort foods. Homemade mac & cheese, smothered with homemade chili with fresh roasted tomatoes as the base sauce…is my current favorite. Next up: Irish Lamb Stew with root veggies. Yum!
8:24 am on October 25th, 2012
Meatloaf and mashed potatoes are my favorite comfort food.
Thanks for the chance to win this awesome new cookbook.
8:26 am on October 25th, 2012
My favorite comfort food is soup. There are so many varieties and you can pick and choose based on your mood the kind of soup that would comfort you in the moment.
8:34 am on October 25th, 2012
Well, I was going to say soups until I read previous comments. Roast chicken with mashed potatoes and gravy, anything with pasta and sauce, meatloaf….I guess most food is comforting to me!!
8:46 am on October 25th, 2012
I turn to mashed potatoes with lots of butter and gravy…and then a big bowl of ice cream!
8:47 am on October 25th, 2012
Beechers flagship grilled cheese on Fremont bread!
8:57 am on October 25th, 2012
these meatballs look amazing but i must say… chicken and dumplings… xx
9:01 am on October 25th, 2012
Favorite comfort food has to be red velvet cake with cream cheese frosting and lots of it!!!
9:15 am on October 25th, 2012
Favorite comfort food – homemade chicken noodle soup. Yum!
9:18 am on October 25th, 2012
Would love a large pot of cheese fondue any winter eve. With friends is best.
9:21 am on October 25th, 2012
My favorite comfort food is red potato mashed potatoes!
9:33 am on October 25th, 2012
these look amazing! my favorite comfort food is a nice bowl of chicken noodle soup!
9:55 am on October 25th, 2012
Whole wheat pasta tossed with marinara and house made turkey meatballs.
A true warming meal! My sister always requests this when she wants a warming meal..its doesnt matter what season:) One time, I made a GIANT meatball and gave it to her in a ziplock. Needless to say, we love meatballs and I will be trying this recipe soon.
9:59 am on October 25th, 2012
Looks like a fabulous recipe. My favorite comfort food would be Chinese Beef Soup Noodles with lots of spinach and savory broth. I know seems odd compared to other comfort foods mentioned, but if you’ve ever had a great bowl of these beef soup noodles, you would know what I meant!
10:04 am on October 25th, 2012
I love a good baked meatball and these look delicious!
10:11 am on October 25th, 2012
Macaroni and Cheese comes to mind 1st:) But my favorite is Chicken and Dumplings at Lord Fletcher’s in Palm Desert…Amazing!
11:28 am on October 25th, 2012
Hello Heather, I am so glad that I found your blog. Those meat balls looks “meaty” good. The pictures are great too. I briefly browsed through your posts and I am sure that I will be back often to check your recipes. Let’s stay connected.
11:35 am on October 25th, 2012
SOUP!! The Ultimate comfort food
11:43 am on October 25th, 2012
I cannot wait to make these meatballs! I would have to say that grilled cheese with tomato soup is my fave comfort food right now even thought it is currently 75 degrees in October in MI. I will take it!!
11:57 am on October 25th, 2012
Without question, macaroni & cheese, extra cheese!
12:04 pm on October 25th, 2012
Mac and Cheese or mashed potatoes :) yumm
12:05 pm on October 25th, 2012
I love homemade chicken soup. Thanks for the exciting give away!!
12:47 pm on October 25th, 2012
Spaghetti and meatballs is something that I am always in the mood to eat.
12:53 pm on October 25th, 2012
Heather! Thanks so much for taking part in the Virtual Dinner Party. I love your photos of the meatballs and am happy to hear they’re “Pia-approved!”
1:36 pm on October 25th, 2012
mac and cheese for sure!! swirl in arugula pesto or use smoked gouda, and it’s a grown-up treat!!
1:44 pm on October 25th, 2012
Ooh, I have lots of favorites but I would have to say grilled cheese or a p,b and j with Nestle’s Quik milk!
2:21 pm on October 25th, 2012
My favorite comfort food is spaghetti with butter and parm cheese or fresh hot bread (like the kind they stick at the front of the store just out of the oven).
2:53 pm on October 25th, 2012
My favorite comfort is Meatloaf, Mashed Potatoes, and Roasted Broccoli. Yum!!!!
4:05 pm on October 25th, 2012
Any kind of creamy casserole is my favorite comfort food! The cookbood looks wonderful!
4:34 pm on October 25th, 2012
My comfort food is pasta, any kind of pasta!
4:42 pm on October 25th, 2012
My favorite comfort food is my grandma’s vegetable soup with pimento cheese sandwiches!
5:23 pm on October 25th, 2012
maybe weird but mashed potatoes have always been my fave comfort food.
5:24 pm on October 25th, 2012
Macaroni and cheese is my favorite comfort food.
5:48 pm on October 25th, 2012
I love spaghetti with my mom’s homemade sauce.
7:41 pm on October 25th, 2012
Roast chicken with gravy, mashed potatoes & corn on the cob!
7:54 pm on October 25th, 2012
Fresh homemade cookies!
7:57 pm on October 25th, 2012
My husbands favorite comfort food is shepherds pie so I make that a lot.
8:07 pm on October 25th, 2012
A big bowl of soup and homemade bread.
8:29 pm on October 25th, 2012
LOVE Aida’s book and I must try these meatballs!
7:24 am on October 26th, 2012
mac and cheese is mine
7:26 am on October 26th, 2012
Those look amazing! My favorite comfort food is roast with mashed potatoes and gravy and cheesy green beans…yum!
8:47 am on October 26th, 2012
I would have to say my ultimate comfort food would be homemade mac and cheese. Nothing can “warm” my insides and my heart like this cheesy creamy goodness of mac and cheese.
10:54 am on October 26th, 2012
My favorite comfort food is hands down my mothers pumpkin pie. It is my great grandmother’s recipe and I look forward to it every Thanksgiving.
5:41 pm on October 26th, 2012
These look amazing! My go to food in times of stess is mashed potatoes.
6:20 pm on October 26th, 2012
I love mac and Cheese with Canadian bacon cut up in it.
8:23 pm on October 27th, 2012
Meatloaf and mashed potatoes for sure!
9:31 pm on October 27th, 2012
Pinned this and will definitely be making. Thank you for sharing the recipe, Heather!
11:14 pm on October 27th, 2012
My favorite comfort food is macaroni and cheese!
2:49 pm on October 28th, 2012
my favorite comfort food is homemade bread
karenreichmann@hotmail.com
5:43 pm on October 28th, 2012
I love lasagna. Yum.
6:39 pm on October 28th, 2012
My ultimate comfort food is ice cream and almost ANYTHING made with peanut butter, including peanut butter by itself!
7:04 pm on October 28th, 2012
Spinich swirled meatloaf!
11:04 pm on October 28th, 2012
Favorite comfort food – a good grilled cheese sandwich on rustic bread with creamy tomato soup
8:53 am on October 29th, 2012
[...] Heather Christo Cooks // “Itai” Meatballs [...]
11:28 am on October 29th, 2012
My favorite comfort food would definitely be chicken pot pie or chicken and dumplings. Those meatballs look fantastic, though!
3:37 pm on October 29th, 2012
My favorite comfort food is either a peanut butter and jelly sandwich with about a 1/2 cup of peanut butter, or it’s a wonderful soup or chili with crusty bread. A hunk of cheese wouldn’t hurt, either.
7:31 pm on October 29th, 2012
Polenta and stew.
6:00 am on October 30th, 2012
Only one??? Prob a really good mac & cheese- no blue box, adult version, with yummy cheeses and caramelized onions and bacon!!
9:05 am on October 30th, 2012
Just made this tonight. Was very good. However, I think 2.5 tsp salt is too much. Next time I would cut down b
9:47 pm on December 23rd, 2012