Greetings! Hopefully where you are, there is a change of season, and a feeling of anticipation for the coming holidays and new year.  Sometimes, we look forward to the end of the year in hope of a new beginning or a change in our path, and as they say, change is always a good thing.

Even though I usually cook for one, when I decide it is time for a Sunday pasta day, there are always leftovers.  I made my mother Rose’s meatballs, red sauce, and fusilli with fresh basil and Romano cheese, and was a kid again! Delizioso. Pretty enough for a picture, as you can see.  The perfect combination of ground pork and ground chuck make the perfect meatballs.  A chunk of Italian bread to soak up that delicious tomato sauce is a must.

I usually make at least a dozen balls and freeze half of them.  A leftover meatball sandwich with fresh provolone is a rewarding midweek lunch.

My recipes, of course, are in my book, so I hope you have had the opportunity to try some of them. I will share my meatball recipe in today’s blog. As you can see the picture on left is a great presentation of one of my fondest memories, and favorite meals today.  Fresh basil out of the garden, fresh Romano or Parmesan on top, and fresh Italian bread completes this dish.  I prefer not to fry the meatballs, a few minutes under the broiler will brown them enough, as they will cook through in the sauce.

The Best Italian Meatballs

2 pounds of ground chuck and pork -mixed together (1 lb of each)

1 egg

1/2 cup Italian bread crumbs

1/4 cup milk

1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

1 small onion- chopped fine

1 teaspoon garlic powder

1 teaspoon basil

pinch salt/pepper

In a large bowl, mix ground meat. Add all other ingredients and form into meatballs, not too small (see above). Place in pan. Put under broiler to lightly brown both sides. They will continue cooking in sauce.  Add to sauce.

As the holidays are approaching, many family recipes will find their way to the dinner table to be enjoyed by all.  I like to keep those recipes throughout the year, as the memories are always with me, and a comfort, as are the tasty, healthy, and freshly made meals are to all different cultures, at the time of celebrations. The holidays can be a stressful time for many, so I believe in enjoying and indulging whenever possible, to maintain a balance.  This time of year seems to fly by so fast, and sometimes we need to slow ourselves down, be grateful, and not miss the joy and peace of the season.