![p1080029-640x480 served with the ever healthy Fritos!](http://biz319.files.wordpress.com/2009/01/p1080029-640x480.jpg)
So my brother Charlie wrote about Monkeyball Sandwiches and Tony wanted them stat! Luckily, Charlie sent me the most important ingredient in my family’s Christmas box, the Pioneer Brand Gravy Mix. Um, you’ll notice that Hannah decided to be my hand model! Her friend works at a salon, and as a present, had one of her co-workers give her a free manicure this afternoon after school!
![p1080025-640x480 yes, she does take after her mother and puts her pajamas on as soon as she walks in the door. There's nothing wrong with that!](http://biz319.files.wordpress.com/2009/01/p1080025-640x480.jpg)
So while my brother provided the essential gravy mix, I had to come up with a meatball recipe. I scoured a few and came up with this combination. I started with “meatloaf” mix. Look for it near the ground beef – its a combination of ground pork, veal and beef. My store usually sells this combo for $3.99 a pound, so that was my base.
Italian Meatballs
- 1 pound meatloaf mix
- 1/4 egg beaters
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1/3 cup Italian seasoned bread crumbs
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic (could have used a bit more I think)
- 1 teaspoon fine salt
- cracked pepper to taste
- 1/3 cup skim milk
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- and if these were just for me I would have added a TON of crushed red pepper!
Heat an oven-safe dish with about 1 teaspoon of oil. When its sizzling, drop your meatballs in the bottom, making sure to coat them with the oil so they can easily be moved around and don’t stick to the bottom. You want to form a crust on your meatballs.
![p1080021-640x480 Tony's three big balls (don't say anything!) and my little balls for my pasta](http://biz319.files.wordpress.com/2009/01/p1080021-640x480.jpg)
Now let them set up, this takes a couple of minutes. When you think the bottom is browned, start shaking the pan so that all sides get browned. In total, this took about 7 minutes. I had my oven preheated to 350 degrees. I put a top on the pot and cooked them in the stove to finish for 15 minutes.
![p1080022-640x480 nice and crispy on the outside!](http://biz319.files.wordpress.com/2009/01/p1080022-640x480.jpg)
Hannah and I had pasta – simple spaghettini, with an ounce of sliced volpi salami, Italian seasoning and parmesan cheese. With 1/2 slice garlic bread. Hannah’s, of course, had no sauce or meatballs!
So Charlie, do I get a prize for making the Monkeyball Sandwich???
Off to catch up on my blog reading, I am so far behind!! See you tomorrow!
Sagan, I believe my Italian seasoning mix is a combo of dried basil, oregano, thyme and rosemary. I buy it at Sam’s Club.
Fab nails 😀
Your plate looks good! I’ like the idea of adding some salami to the dish, I’ll have to remember that for next time!
I adore crushed red pepper. Think these could be made with ground turkey? Also what’s in the Italian seasoning?
i love the monkey balls… lol
Thanks Charlie, I feel so honored! Hi Mom!
Grrr…. “won“
I can confirm – Charlie, Beth and Jennifer are indeed siblings, and I read their blogs every day.
Mom
For making the monkeyball sandwiches, Biz, you’ve just one a free, lifetime subscription to Back to the Fridge. Congratulations!
He’s my brother too! How lucky are we to have such a funny brother!
I want to know where you found the ‘healthy fritos’! HA!
C’mon, is Charlie really your brother? I get a big kick out of his blog.
As a fan of “hot n spicy”, have you ever tried Tony Chachere’s Creole Seasoning? I put this on everything – potatotoes, hamburgers, etc.
Both of those meals look awesome!
Yep, Charlie is really my brother – just ask our mom!
love hannah’s nails!! lol at the balls comment 🙂
these look yummy!!
Haha love the big balls comment! 🙂 I’ll need to seek out this gravy mix, I saw it on Charlie’s blog and I’m inspired – the name is great.
There’s a contest on my blog so go enter and pass it on!! 🙂
LOL!!! Okay, I won’t go there! That really made my night 🙂
The meatballs look yummy – even my Italian Gram would approve!
There is nothing like a mouth full of monkey balls and a championship football to make you feel alive!
Hahah, love the manicure! And great eats Biz! Meatballs are awesome!
Those look yummy… i made meatballs yesterday and got all sorts of funny comments about me liking balls…
Haha, I saw those on his blog. Hannah’s nails are cute!
I had a meatball sub for dinner too! (mine was vegetarian)…and I did add a TON of red pepper! 🙂
Love the name MonkeyBalls..hehe