Basic Meatballs with Seasonal Flavor

Instructions

1. Soak the bread crumbs in milk until all of the milk is absorbed, about 5 minutes. (You can substitute cold cooked rice or potatoes for the bread—but you will not have to soak the rice or potatoes in milk.) Squeeze most of the milk out of the bread and set the bread aside in a large glass or stainless steel mixing bowl.
2. Place 2 tablespoons of olive oil or butter in a 12-inch skillet over medium to medium-high heat and cook onion stirring until tender, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat.
3. In the large mixing bowl, mix well the cooked onion, 3 pounds meat, the milk-soaked bread crumbs (or cold cooked rice or potatoes), egg, garlic, cheese, parsley, salt, pepper, and herbs or spices; use a wooden spoon or your fingers. Loosely shape—don’t knead–the mixture into 1-inch-round balls.
4. In the same skillet, over medium-high heat add 3 more tablespoons olive oil then cook the meatballs a few at a time turning them with a spoon until well browned on all sides.( To make sure the heat and your mix and seasonings are just as you like, cook up just one meatball in advance and adjust the seasoning as needed. If the meatball seems dry add a little milk.)
5. As the meatballs brown, remove them to a large bowl with a slotted spoon. Adjust the heat so that the fat does not burn. When all meatballs are browned, pour off all but 2 tablespoons drippings from skillet. (To check if the meatballs are indeed cooked through, insert an instant-read thermometer in to the center of a meatball; it should read 160°F.)
6. Baking alternative: If you prefer, you can bake the meatballs—cooking them all at once–in a 450°F oven; place meatballs on a rimmed baking sheet and bake until just cooked through, about 6 minutes. (You can stretch out the baking time by setting the oven at 375°F, and bake 20 to 30 minutes.)
7. Remove the meatballs to a platter and cover to keep warm until the sauce is ready.
8. Creamy Sauce: Prepare the sauce in the skillet or better yet a separate pan. To prepare the sauce, use about two tablespoons of fat from the skillet or baking pan and add 1 tablespoon of flour; stir the flour and fat over medium-high heat for about 1 minute, stirring as it cooks. Add 1 cup of chicken, beef, or vegetable stock or water and cook on, stirring, until the liquid is reduced by half, about 10 minutes or a tad longer. Stir in the cream and reduce the heat to medium-low; cook, stirring until the sauce thickens and is smooth and golden brown.
9. Cooked mushrooms can be added to the sauce: Before beginning the sauce, cook sliced mushrooms in the meatballs drippings over medium heat until tender, about 5 minutes. Then mix them in the finished sauce.
10. Tomato Sauce: In the summer try a garden-fresh tomato sauce, in place of the creamy sauce: Prepare the tomato sauce in a separate pan. Pour in a dash or two of olive oil, add 2 cloves of garlic, peeled and finely sliced, add a small bunch of basil (or other oregano or thyme) finely chopped, add 1½ pounds of plum tomatoes (about 10 plum tomatoes)—skin removed and cored, sea salt, and freshly ground black pepper; bring to simmer; break up tomatoes with a spoon and add a swish of balsamic vinegar for sweetness. Let simmer until it tastes great, not long.