Who doesn’t love a cocktail meatball? Give me a frilly toothpick and I’m done for…it’s just irresistable. I love them.
Now, I also love chimichurri, an addictively pungent parsley and garlic sauce very popular in Argentina and used in almost every meal. Once you taste it, you’ll know why. It’s fantastic! I crave it.
This recipe will take your next cocktail party to a higher level, it’s just a classy dish. I can’t wait to serve them again!
Combine all ingredients for chimichurri in a large bowl. Let stand at room temperature for two hours to blend flavors.
Blend all meatball ingredients in a bowl (do not overwork them). Test for seasoning by frying a little of the meat mixture until cooked through.
Form 1″ balls with a small ice cream scoop (I use a #100).
Heat 1 Tablespoon oil in a nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Fry half the meatballs until cooked through and browned all over, about 5 minutes.
Transfer meatballs to a platter that has some of the chimichurri spooned onto the bottom; top the meatballs with some of the sauce and tent with foil to keep warm. Fry remaining meatballs in additional Tablespoon of oil, add them to the platter, and top with more chimichurri.
Garnish with crumbled feta, which is not an Argentinean, but adds this amazing salty bit to this dish.
If you serve these in a heated chaffing dish, serve the sauce on the side.
Chimichurri Meatballs
Chimichurri:
1 bunch minced curly leaf parsley, leaves and stems
1 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1/2 cup red wine vinegar
2 Tablespoons minced fresh oregano leaves (or 1 teaspoon dried)
2 teaspoons sugar
1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
Minced zest and juice of 1 lemon
Salt to taste
Meatballs:
2 Tablespoons olive oil, divided
1 pound ground chuck
3/4 pound ground pork
1/2 cup panko bread crumbs
1/4 cup scallions, minced
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 teaspoons kosher salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 egg
1/2 cup feta cheese (crumbled) for garnish
Combine all ingredients for chimichurri in a large bowl. Let stand at room temperature for two hours to blend flavors.
Blend all meatball ingredients in a bowl (do not overwork them). Test for seasoning by frying a little of the meat mixture until cooked through.
Form 1″ balls with a small ice cream scoop (I use a #100). Heat 1 Tablespoon oil in a nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Fry half the meatballs until cooked through and browned all over, about 5 minutes.
Transfer meatballs to a platter that has some of the chimichurri spooned onto the bottom; top the meatballs with some of the sauce and tent with foil to keep warm. Fry remaining meatballs in additional Tablespoon of oil, add them to the platter, and top with more chimichurri.
Garnish with crumbled feta, which is not an Argentinean, but adds this amazing salty bit to this dish.
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