Spicy Meatballs

That MLB Baseball game will dominate conversation at your party. However, you can certainly be the topic of conversation afterwards with these Spicy Meatballs on your buffet. They make great pick ups at the party!

1/3 cup very finely chopped onion
2 Tbsp olive oil
1 Tbsp very finely minced garlic
1 1/2 tsp - 1 Tbsp salt
3 Tbsp finely chopped parsley
1/4 tsp freshly ground pepper
1 cup fresh bread crumbs
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
1 egg
2 1/2 lb lean ground chuck
1/2 cup cold water
30 oz tomato sauce

Combine chopped onion, garlic, parsley and bread crumbs in a food processor and mix 30 seconds.

Break the egg into a 3 quart bowl and mix well using a wire whisk. Add water, olive oil, salt, pepper, and nutmeg to the egg and whisk until well whisked.

Add the bread crumb mixture, combining with a spatula. Add the ground meat and mix thoroughly until ingredients are well distributed and the mixture is binding together tightly.

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Using a medium sized ice cream scoop, scoop out a portion onto a lightly oiled jelly roll pan. Form each meatball by rolling in the palm of your hand until they feel tight and solid.

Pour 1/4 cup water into the pan and place in the oven. Time 15 minutes. Remove from the oven and loosen with a spatula. Return to the oven an additional 10 minutes, or until cooked through. Drain.

Heat the tomato sauce in a large skillet. Add the meatballs and simmer 2 minutes. Serve over pasta or rice.

At parties I like to put these out on a platter with a bunch of tooth picks for serving. Don't forget the sweet chili sauce.