Beef
Mama Caruso's Fried Meatballs (Don't Tell My Family!)
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37 Reviews
LOUF1RST
April 24, 2022
I'm eating fried meatballs right now, my other has a cast iron pan it makes all the difference I think, here on Sundays when everyone used to come over they never made it to the table, we would eat them straight out the fying pan like I'm doing now , best that way
Phyllis P.
October 30, 2016
Thanks so much for posting. My Nana made a type of friend port meat ball for which I sadly never got the recipe before she passed. She adapted much of her cooking suit my Italian Nonno's taste. I used all of the ingredients with turkey sausage to cut some calories and bingo, they taste almost exactly the same! I'll make these often now and as appetizers for company!
john
May 16, 2014
Sunday gravy is what Italian Americans called tomato sauce with meat in it. If it was just tomatoes, we called it sauce.
john
March 15, 2014
When my mother made the gravy on Sunday, she baked the meatballs. She would serve fried meatballs every once in a while for dinner. They were delicious. At this point in my life, I shouldn't be eating fried meatballs. But every once in a while I make fried meatballs. You should take the time to do it. Once you do, you'll want to do it again.
RaquelG
August 16, 2010
Littleclove: What a heartwarming story and stomach-warming recipe!! My grandmother was from Spain and made very similar meatballs - a little veal and fresh thyme are the only differences, served in a sauce of the thickened pan drippings with more garlic and herbs. The old ways are always the best ways.... Funny how the Mediterranean cultures are all so close in their recipes! I'm sorry to hear that anyone could have misconstrued what you wrote here; I found the provenance, recipe and love behind it very clear. I also can't imagine any site more supportive of it's posters than Merrill, Amanda and food52. Please keep on posting!!!
Gale
August 10, 2010
A great recipe and the story really adds flavor. Plus the picture is an inspiration; they look delicious.
mrslarkin
August 9, 2010
What a great story and recipe! I love your dad's letter on your blog post - so cute that your grandma sent him salami!!! Thanks for sharing.
littleclove
August 15, 2010
mrslarkin-
thanks for taking the time to head over and read the full story. She was a cutie, that Mama. Can you imagine salami 22 days on a boat?! WOW.
thanks for taking the time to head over and read the full story. She was a cutie, that Mama. Can you imagine salami 22 days on a boat?! WOW.
Food52
August 8, 2010
We firmly believe there is no one best way to do anything and we're thrilled to learn from all of you each week. And while we welcome constructive feedback, we also expect civility and respect. There was some unfortunate miscommunication in this comment thread and one member requested that their account be deleted. Thank you all for helping food52 continue to be a supportive, respectful community and a fun place to be. Now let's get back to the food. - A&M
dymnyno
August 8, 2010
They sound delicious!! and your photography is gorgeous!
littleclove
August 15, 2010
dymnyno-
Thank you! I use a point and shoot for my blog, and was considering upgrading. But, I've gotten a few compliments over at littleclove on my shots so I think I'll stick with it. At least for now. :-)
Thank you! I use a point and shoot for my blog, and was considering upgrading. But, I've gotten a few compliments over at littleclove on my shots so I think I'll stick with it. At least for now. :-)
Sunchowder
August 8, 2010
This recipe looks fabulous!
littleclove
August 15, 2010
Sunchowder-
Thanks for the compliment! They're really delicious and simple.
Thanks for the compliment! They're really delicious and simple.
MonkeyBusiness
August 8, 2010
I am sorry to keep this going, but I feel compelled to weigh in (no pun intended). It is often not WHAT is said, it is HOW it is said, and I too, flinched at the comments on frying v. not even before I read the reactions. Better to have promoted the method of having the meat flavor the gravy, therefore some of us might have tried that approach. My Polish Mother fried her meatballs, so therefore I do too...although I must admit to having tried baking them once. Hard to give up on Mom's (or Mama's) technique, it is what we were weaned on..our tastes are almost hardwired there.
PS. Love the story about Mama!!
PS. Love the story about Mama!!
johnmarzy
August 8, 2010
littleclove - I miss my grandmother's Thursday and Sunday gravy. Please take this thread to the next level and post your gravy recipe!!!
littleclove
August 8, 2010
johnmarzy-
Well, since you asked...... ;-)
Here is the link to the full story on our gravy with pictures:
http://www.littleclove.com/?p=1649
But if you want to skip right to it.......
Sunday Gravy
Inspired by Grandma Caruso, adaptad from Mom
Makes a large 5 1/2-quart pot, enough to freeze for later
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 rack baby back ribs (about 2 1/4 pounds), cut into 2-rib sections
1 pound hot Italian sausage links, cut into 2-3? chunks
2 medium onions , chopped fine (about 2 cups)
2 tablespoons fresh oregano, plus 2 tbsp dried oregano
6 garlic cloves , minced or pressed through a garlic press
2 (28-ounce) cans crushed tomatoes
2 (28-ounce) cans tomato sauce
1 can tomato paste, 6 oz.
chopped fresh basil leaves, 2 big handfuls
1 ½ cups Pecorino Romano cheese, grated
½ tablespoon kosher salt, plus more for seasoning
freshly ground pepper
Adjust oven rack to lower-middle position and heat oven to 325 º. Heat oil in 5 ½ quart Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Pat ribs dry with paper towels and season with salt and pepper. Add half of the ribs to the pot and brown on both sides, 5 to 7 minutes. Transfer ribs to large plate and brown remaining ribs. After transferring second batch of ribs to plate, brown sausages on all sides, 5 to 7 minutes. Transfer sausages to plate with ribs.
Reduce heat to medium, add onions and dried oregano; cook, stirring occasionally, until beginning to brown, about 5 minutes. Add tomato paste and cook, stirring constantly and scraping up the browned bits, until very dark, about 3 minutes. Stir in garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Fill up the empty tomato paste can with water and add that while stirring and scraping up any more browned bits.
Add the rest of the tomatoes, cheese, 1 hand full of the chopped basil, ½ tbsp Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper. Return ribs and sausage to pot (and some meatballs if you’ve made them); bring to simmer, cover, and transfer to oven. Cook until ribs are tender, about 2½ hours. Remove ribs with tongs to serving platter and cover.
Turn the oven down to 200º, put the pot of gravy back in and let it simmer until dinner time. You can eat now, but I feel the longer, the better.
When ready, using tongs, transfer sausage and meatballs to serving platter with the ribs. Stir the remaining handful of basil and the fresh oregano into gravy and adjust the seasoning with cheese, salt and pepper.
When your pasta is done, we like to put some gravy into the bottom of the serving bowl first, then mix the pasta with some gravy to coat it. Then you serve a big gravy boat (is that what they are called?) full of gravy for the table so everyone can add as much as they like. Serve the pasta with the meat platter, extra grated cheese, salt & pepper and don’t forget the hot giardiniera.
Is it Sunday yet?
Well, since you asked...... ;-)
Here is the link to the full story on our gravy with pictures:
http://www.littleclove.com/?p=1649
But if you want to skip right to it.......
Sunday Gravy
Inspired by Grandma Caruso, adaptad from Mom
Makes a large 5 1/2-quart pot, enough to freeze for later
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 rack baby back ribs (about 2 1/4 pounds), cut into 2-rib sections
1 pound hot Italian sausage links, cut into 2-3? chunks
2 medium onions , chopped fine (about 2 cups)
2 tablespoons fresh oregano, plus 2 tbsp dried oregano
6 garlic cloves , minced or pressed through a garlic press
2 (28-ounce) cans crushed tomatoes
2 (28-ounce) cans tomato sauce
1 can tomato paste, 6 oz.
chopped fresh basil leaves, 2 big handfuls
1 ½ cups Pecorino Romano cheese, grated
½ tablespoon kosher salt, plus more for seasoning
freshly ground pepper
Adjust oven rack to lower-middle position and heat oven to 325 º. Heat oil in 5 ½ quart Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Pat ribs dry with paper towels and season with salt and pepper. Add half of the ribs to the pot and brown on both sides, 5 to 7 minutes. Transfer ribs to large plate and brown remaining ribs. After transferring second batch of ribs to plate, brown sausages on all sides, 5 to 7 minutes. Transfer sausages to plate with ribs.
Reduce heat to medium, add onions and dried oregano; cook, stirring occasionally, until beginning to brown, about 5 minutes. Add tomato paste and cook, stirring constantly and scraping up the browned bits, until very dark, about 3 minutes. Stir in garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Fill up the empty tomato paste can with water and add that while stirring and scraping up any more browned bits.
Add the rest of the tomatoes, cheese, 1 hand full of the chopped basil, ½ tbsp Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper. Return ribs and sausage to pot (and some meatballs if you’ve made them); bring to simmer, cover, and transfer to oven. Cook until ribs are tender, about 2½ hours. Remove ribs with tongs to serving platter and cover.
Turn the oven down to 200º, put the pot of gravy back in and let it simmer until dinner time. You can eat now, but I feel the longer, the better.
When ready, using tongs, transfer sausage and meatballs to serving platter with the ribs. Stir the remaining handful of basil and the fresh oregano into gravy and adjust the seasoning with cheese, salt and pepper.
When your pasta is done, we like to put some gravy into the bottom of the serving bowl first, then mix the pasta with some gravy to coat it. Then you serve a big gravy boat (is that what they are called?) full of gravy for the table so everyone can add as much as they like. Serve the pasta with the meat platter, extra grated cheese, salt & pepper and don’t forget the hot giardiniera.
Is it Sunday yet?
Sagegreen
August 8, 2010
I love your convincing photo as much as the story behind these meatballs! That your cook's name is "littleclove" and that your grandmother taught you to make this recipe with big garlic cloves makes this recipe even more endearing!
littleclove
August 8, 2010
Sagegreen-
One of my best friends started calling me littleclove when we were about 12 years old, and she still calls me that to this day. :-)
Our house always smelled like garlic, and I'm *guessing* I did (do), too!
One of my best friends started calling me littleclove when we were about 12 years old, and she still calls me that to this day. :-)
Our house always smelled like garlic, and I'm *guessing* I did (do), too!
lapadia
August 7, 2010
The recipe you submitted "mirrors" our family recipe (which also came from an Italian grandmother)...don't they know best when it comes to meatballs? Love them!
littleclove
August 7, 2010
lapadia-
They really do know best. I love passing my Grandma's recipes on. It means a lot to me.
Thanks!
They really do know best. I love passing my Grandma's recipes on. It means a lot to me.
Thanks!
Ellie36
August 7, 2010
These meatballs sound delicious!
littleclove
August 7, 2010
Ellie36-
Thank you! They are unbelievably good. We don't mess around when it comes to meatballs. ;-)
Thank you! They are unbelievably good. We don't mess around when it comes to meatballs. ;-)
Midge
August 7, 2010
Waking up to the smell of meatballs frying is second only to eating the few your mom has set aside, with a little salt like littleclove says, and a couple of over-easy eggs. My absolute favorite part of the whole Sunday gravy experience.
littleclove
August 7, 2010
Midge-
You know what I'm talking about. I am dying to eat them with eggs now that you brought that up! ;-)
You know what I'm talking about. I am dying to eat them with eggs now that you brought that up! ;-)
Lizthechef
August 6, 2010
Great photo - just finished a homemade pizza and am instantly hungry. Love the family reference!
littleclove
August 6, 2010
A Kenetic Energetic Diabetic-
Actually, I don't have a husband, so he's not believing anything! ;-) I'm not a chef or a scientist. I learned from "Mama", a big, lovable Italian grandma who put her heart and soul into everything she cooked. I'm not saying my way is "the best way", it's just what I was taught and the way my family does it (my family being my very large extended Italian family). But comments are great, so thank you for yours!
Actually, I don't have a husband, so he's not believing anything! ;-) I'm not a chef or a scientist. I learned from "Mama", a big, lovable Italian grandma who put her heart and soul into everything she cooked. I'm not saying my way is "the best way", it's just what I was taught and the way my family does it (my family being my very large extended Italian family). But comments are great, so thank you for yours!
littleclove
August 8, 2010
A Kenetic Energetic Diabetic-
I'm very new here and feel badly that this has taken a negative turn. I didn't mean to offend you in any way. I want you to know that I did NOT read your recipe first and then decide to talk about browning. I have never posted a recipe before, and as I was doing that for the first time with my meatball recipe, A&M say to write about a few *key* things in your recipe. Browning happens to be really important in our cooking (Mama's cooking).
I decided it was an important part to share, that's all. Reading back, I can see how you may have thought I wrote about browning because your post came first. That is not what happened. I actually took the phrase "I’ve heard that some people plop their meatballs right into the gravy raw and let them do all of their cooking there." right off a blog post I did on Mama's meatballs on my blog. Please read it so you can see where I'm coming from. Here is the link: http://www.littleclove.com/?p=1741
Hey, we're Italian! We're passionate! Now can we hug and make up? :-)
I'm very new here and feel badly that this has taken a negative turn. I didn't mean to offend you in any way. I want you to know that I did NOT read your recipe first and then decide to talk about browning. I have never posted a recipe before, and as I was doing that for the first time with my meatball recipe, A&M say to write about a few *key* things in your recipe. Browning happens to be really important in our cooking (Mama's cooking).
I decided it was an important part to share, that's all. Reading back, I can see how you may have thought I wrote about browning because your post came first. That is not what happened. I actually took the phrase "I’ve heard that some people plop their meatballs right into the gravy raw and let them do all of their cooking there." right off a blog post I did on Mama's meatballs on my blog. Please read it so you can see where I'm coming from. Here is the link: http://www.littleclove.com/?p=1741
Hey, we're Italian! We're passionate! Now can we hug and make up? :-)
littleclove
August 6, 2010
Loves Food Loves to Eat-
Aren't they delicious when you fry them?! I have to eat a few of them before I throw them into the gravy with an extra sprinkle of salt. Nice and juicy. YUM! My family believes that the meat flavors the gravy, not the other way around. Meaning, the meatballs, the Italian sausage and the pork ribs we also make when making Sunday gravy gives it it's great flavor. Who knows, it's just how we do it and I'm sticking to it! :-)
Aren't they delicious when you fry them?! I have to eat a few of them before I throw them into the gravy with an extra sprinkle of salt. Nice and juicy. YUM! My family believes that the meat flavors the gravy, not the other way around. Meaning, the meatballs, the Italian sausage and the pork ribs we also make when making Sunday gravy gives it it's great flavor. Who knows, it's just how we do it and I'm sticking to it! :-)
Loves F.
August 6, 2010
I totally fry my meatballs too... the only way to go for a crispy outter edge and tasty caramelized flavor! Looks like Mama knows what she's doing! (And...your secret's safe with me!)
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