Irish-Italian Meatballs, Peas, and Rice

For a more French-Style Meatball

There is really nothing Irish about the meatballs, other than the cook. Yesterday when my husband called to tell me he was headed home, I ran into the kitchen with the intention of making spaghetti, however, there were no noodles in the cupboard. Re-think the meal, “Ah, all the ingredients we need for meatballs except Panko bread crumbs, no worry, we have flour.”

Anytime you make a meat-patty that combines egg, flour will work, generally not as tasty, but it works. There are alternatives, such as potato chips, Cheese Nips (especially the white cheese style), corn chips, anything that will help to bind the ingredients.

It was not until almost 6, that I remembered my husband was in Stringtown when he called. The meatballs were the perfect choice as they reheat well.

1 lb. ground meat or chuck

½ small onion (diced)

1 tsp Italian seasoning

1 tsp garlic

1 tsp cilantro

1 egg (beaten)

4 to 5 tbsp flour

Preheat oven to 350-degrees

In medium mixing bowl, add ground meat, small onion, and spices, mixing well with hand. Add egg, mix to coat all the meat; then add flour, mixing well. Roll into 3-inch balls and place on greased/cooking spray cookie sheet. Cook 20 to 25 minutes. If using NuWave oven, as I did, 10-minutes on level 10.

Meatball peas and gravy

3 tbsp olive oil

2 cups frozen peas

1 tsp nutmeg

1 tsp tarragon

1/3 cup Worcestershire

½ cup water

2 beef bouillon cubes

In 3 oz. sauté pan, over-medium heat, add olive oil. When pan and oil are thoroughly heated, drop meatballs into oil; add frozen peas, nutmeg, and tarragon. Heat all ingredients until peas have begun to soften, add Worcestershire, cup water, and beef bouillon cubes. Reduce heat to medium and simmer until liquid has reduced by half. Serve over 1 package Success Boil-n-Bag Rice.

Note: Mixed vegetables or stir fry work well with meatballs. Instead of rice, you could choose noodles, or potatoes. Tarragon might be replace by herb de Provence for that French-lover in the family.