Pepperoni Meatballs

Serves: 4

Gideon Batz

1 January 1970

Based on User reviews:

58

Spice

31

Sweetness

49

Sourness

34

mins

Prep time (avg)

4.1

Difficulty

Ingredients:

6 cloves

Garlic (chopped)

3.5 tsps

Fennel Seed

1 tsp

Anise Seed

Directions:

1

Bake until the meatballs are brown, 15 to 20 minutes

2

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F

3

Grease 2 baking sheets with olive oil; set aside

4

Mix the beef short rib, chuck, brisket and fat in a large bowl

5

Add the bread, garlic, 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon salt, chili powder, chili paste, fennel and anise seeds, and oregano; mix until combined

6

Grind the meat mixture in a meat grinder with a 1/4-inch grind die into a large bowl

7

Add the wine, ricotta and eggs and mix by hand until combined

8

(The mixture should be wet and tacky

9

) Form the mixture into 1 1/2-inch meatballs and put on the prepared baking sheets

10

Remove from the oven and reduce the oven temperature to 300 degrees F

11

Transfer the meatballs to a roasting pan

12

Pour the crushed tomatoes and their juices over the meatballs, cover with foil and bake until the meatballs are tender and have absorbed some of the sauce, 1 hour to 1 hour, 30 minutes

13

Scatter the basil leaves over the sauce

14

Divide the meatballs and sauce among bowls

15

Top with grana padano and drizzle with olive oil

16

Serve with bread, if desired

17

Photograph by Joseph DeLeo