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Thursday, February 10, 2011

That's amóre Meatball Sub

When Sweet Thang says to me
"Mom, you make a mean Meatball Sub"
 that's amòre...

When Lyrical Teen vies for seconds
and eats 'til his belly's stuffed
that's amóre...

go with it people

When Drama Queen eats a meal
and not once jousts with her brothers
that's amóre...

When dear Mexi asks "what smells good"
then devours sans a chile
that's amóre...

are you singing along

When I draw inspiration from Giada
without fighting or even question
that's (simply gotta be) amóre!!!!
That's Amóre Meatball Sub
adapted sorta loosely from Everyday Italian by Giada de Laurentiis
makes ~40 meatballs (5-6 subs, depending on size of bread)

1 small red onion, grated on the large holes of a box grater
¼ c. parsley, chopped
1 large egg
3 Tbs. ketchup
5 garlic cloves, minced
1 tsp. sea salt
¼ tsp. freshly ground black pepper
2/3 c. freshly grated Parmesan
¼ c. fresh bread crumbs
1 tsp. Italian seasoning
18 oz. ground beef
olive oil, for frying

26 oz. marinara sauce
small Italian rolls, as needed
provolone cheese, optional

Whisk the red onion (with some of the juices it emitted during grating), parsley, egg, ketchup, garlic, salt and pepper together in a large bowl.  Stir in the Parmesan, bread crumbs, and Italian seasoning.  Add the ground beef and squish it all together with your hands.  

Line a sheet try with foil and scoop mixture out by the tablespoon.  Roll into ball with your hands and line them up on the lined tray.  Once they are all rolled, heat enough oil in a deep-sided pan to come about ¾ of the way up the side of a meatball.  Heat oil until it shimmers and ripples, then carefully lower as many meatballs into the pan that will fit comfortably.  Leave enough space between them so that they can move and be flipped and not lower the temperature of the oil too drastically. Cook until meatballs are golden all the way around, ~5 minutes.
In the meantime, have another large, deep pan on the stove over medium-low heat with your marinara sauce heating in it.  As each meatball is done, lift out of oil with a slotted spoon or strainer (or fish spat, like I use), let as much of the grease fall back into the pan as possible, then lower the meatball into the marinara sauce.  Repeat until all the meatballs are in the marinara.  

Lower heat and simmer very gently for 5-10 minutes.  Split your Italian rolls and nestle in as many meatballs as you like.  Top with a little provolone if you like.

If you want to make these in advance, simply assemble, then wrap in butcher paper or foil and refrigerate.  Reheat in a 350°F oven for ~15 minutes.
"When the moon hits your eye
Like a big-a pizza pie
That's amóre...
When the world seems to shine
Like you've had too much wine
That's amóre..."

Please 'scusi  my overly judicious use of "ó" throughout this post.  I cannot stressa enougha zi pronunciation en Italiano!  And please excuse that last sentence.  Obviously I do not know Italian.  But in my dreams...I do. Che il bel sandwich di polpetta di carne!

*I'm sharing this post with:
IHCC SouperSundays MizHelen‘sFullPlateThursday
*Italian Fest @ Seaside Simplicity

Would you like to comment?

  1. You are adorable...and a mighty good cook at that. I want a sub right now (and I'm going to be singing that song all night long!) Thank you for sharing your tasty sub with me. I hope you are having a happy and warm Wednesday night.

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  2. These are wonderful! The subs look great and so also the song!

    Since I do not cook non-veg food I will make them in the veggie way. Have a look at my spaghetti with veg balls. Do visit my place. Thanks!

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  3. These look so good and hearty!

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  4. Omg, am in love with this yummy meatball sub..

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  5. I'm on board with any opportunity to eat a sandwich like yours! Io amo le polpette

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  6. I will have to make this for my Honey, he is a meatball sub kind of guy! thanks.

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  7. My very favourite kind of sub. I could eat these every day. You and Giada seem to be getting along better these days. Glad to see it, lol. Your subs look fabulous Heather! And knowing you, that must be homemade bread!

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  8. oh that looks so so so tasty. To be a guest in your kitchen...

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  9. That is one sub bursting at the seams! That is my kind of sub...I heart your sub.

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  10. wow what a yummy stuffed mutton balls in bread...

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  11. Fun posting! I am quite, quite sure I'd let nothing come between me and your meatball sub.

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  12. Oh heather...you never fail to make my day happier. And you always provide me with severe hunger pangs. That is one serious sub.

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  13. Meat ball sub looks delicious , you write really funny post.

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  14. Your meatball sub looks delicious--thanks for sending it to Souper Sundays too.

    Where were you when I was doing the That's Amore post for IHCC? I could have used your instruction on doing the accent marks. ;-)

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  15. It looks incredibly good, it really making me hungry :)

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  16. Looks fantastic!! I wish I was eating one right now!!

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  17. your blog is always such a pleasure to read! this sub is definitely the definition of amore, it's even red for v-day! love it!

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  18. Mmmmmmmmm Meatballs subs are my FAVORITE!!!!!

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  19. Oh, that is amore! It makes me want one right now, and I just got finished eating lunch!

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  20. When the moon hits your eye like a big-a-piece- of your Meatball Sub...
    That's Amore..
    When you bring-a-your Sub to share at Full Plate Thursday...
    That's Amore...
    Thanks for coming today and please come back!

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  21. That is indeed Amore !!! beautiful meat balls ..My hubby saw this dish and now he wants it :)

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  22. Looks yummy! I spent the morning making meatballs for the weekend and was a good girl and only ate one.

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  23. This meatball sub look so tempting...love the sauce all over :-)

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  24. I think the meatball sub is actually smiling at me!

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  25. These are just screaming eat me! I suddenly have a mad craving for a meatball sub! I meant to stop by sooner and congratulate you for winning Dessert Wars! Christine was going to e-mail you - if for some reason she hasn't please e-mail me your address cinnamonyspice@gmail.com

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  26. Looks so darn good and I bet it is. I sometimes wish I hadn't said I wasn't going to eat meat for a while because I feel like making that. Yummo!!

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  27. Can you please bring me one of these for lunch tomorrow? The rich sauce soaking into the bread looks FAB-U-LOUS!

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  28. Yum, I wanna gobble that whole baby down!! Perfect bun for it too. I cannot abide a squishy meatball sub bun - I like the resistance of a good chewy one like that. ♥

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  29. So pleased you've even been able to cast a loving eye Giada's way this week. This sub looks amazing - I would love you forever if you brought me one of these - yum!
    Sue :-)

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  30. That may be the best sandwich I have ever seen in my whole life!

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  31. Sometimes the simplest of recipes make the best meals. YUM

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