David Ruggerios Meatballs Polpetti Sunday Gravy Food

MEATBALLS (POLPETTI) & SUNDAY GRAVY

Steps:

• Place 1 tablespoon of the olive oil in skillet over medium heat. Saute the onion and garlic in it for 3 minutes or until the onion is translucent. Set aside and allow to cool.
• In a large bowl, mix together the three meats with the bread crumbs, cheese, the cooled onion and garlic, parsley, salt and pepper and eggs.
• Shape the mixture into medium sized ovals, the size of extra large eggs. You should end up with about 22 meatballs.
• Brown he meatballs in 2 tablespoons of olive oil and proceed with the recipe for the famous Sunday gravy or simply submerge them in your favorite tomato sauce and gently simmer until tender. 1 to 1 1/2 hours, stirring periodically, always careful not to break the meatballs.
• When the sauce is ready, skim the excess oil from the top, adjust the seasoning and serve.
• Sunday Gravy: Place the 1/4 cups of olive oil in a very large heavy bottomed saucepot over medium heat. Saute the garlic for about 1 minute or until slightly golden.
• Add the tomato paste and fry it with the garlic for 5 minutes or until the paste is bubbling, constantly stirring so as not to burn it.
• Stir in the 12 tomato paste cans of water and allow to simmer for 20 minutes or until thick.
• Add the pureed tomatoes, the 1 1/2 tomato cans of water, the oregano, salt, basil and red pepper flakes. Bring to a boil then lower the heat so that the sauce barely simmers. Place a wooden spoon under the cover to keep the pot partially opened.
• While the sauce cooks, place the remaining olive oil in a large skillet over medium high heat and begin to brown the meat components evenly on all sides.
• After the sauce has been simmering over low heat for 2 hours, add the meat to it, being careful not to break the meatballs. Make sure the meat is completely covered by the sauce and continue to cook for 1 to 1 1.2 hour more hours, stirring periodically, always careful not to break the meatballs.
• When the sauce is ready, skim the excess oil from the top, adjust the seasoning and serve.

DAVID RUGGERIO'S MEATBALLS (POLPETTI) & SUNDAY GRAVY

Steps:

• Meatballs:
• Place 1 tablespoon of the olive oil in skillet over medium heat, saute the onion and garlic for 3 minutes or until the onion is translucent. Set aside and allow to cool.
• In a large bowl, mix together the three meats with the bread crumbs, cheese, the cooled onion and garlic, parsley, salt and pepper and eggs.
• Shape the mixture into medium sized ovals, the size of extra large eggs. You should end up with about 22 meatballs.
• Brown the meatballs in 2 tablespoons of olive oil and proceed with the recipe for the famous Sunday gravy. (Alternatively, pre-heat oven to 400° , place meatballs on baking sheet, bake for 20 minutes or until golden brown)
• Sunday Gravy:
• Place the 1/4 cup of olive oil in a very large, heavy bottomed saucepot over medium heat. Saute the garlic for about 1 minute or until slightly golden.
• Add the tomato paste and fry it with the garlic for 5 minutes or until the paste is bubbling, constantly stirring so as not to burn it.
• Stir in the 12 tomato paste cans of water (9-cups) and allow to simmer for 20 minutes or until thick.
• Add the pureed tomatoes, the 1 ½ whole tomato cans of water (6 ½ cups), the oregano, salt, basil and red pepper flakes. Bring to a boil then lower the heat so that the sauce barely simmers. Place a wooden spoon under the cover to keep the pot partially opened.
• While the sauce cooks, place the remaining olive oil in a large skillet over medium high heat and begin to brown the meat components evenly on all sides.
• After the sauce has been simmering over low heat for 2 hours, add the meat to it, being careful not to break the meatballs. Make sure the meat is completely covered by the sauce and continue to cook for 1 to 1 1/2 hour more hours, stirring periodically, always careful not to break the meatballs.

SUNDAY GRAVY WITH SAUSAGES AND MEATBALLS

Steps:

• Make the meatballs: In a large mixing bowl, combine beef, bread, and milk.
• Add the cheese, basil, parsley, egg, and salt.
• Mix gently but thoroughly.
• Form into small meatballs, no more than 1 1/2 inches in diameter; set aside (can cover and refrigerate while you are making the sauce).
• Heat olive oil in a heavy-bottomed stockpot.
• Add pork chops and sausages and brown on all sides.
• Transfer pork chops to a plate to make room for the onions.
• Toss the onions into the pot with the garlic, fennel seeds, and salt.
• Saute over medium heat stirring frequently and scraping up any bits left behind by the pork and sausages, until the onions are soft and golden.
• Put the pork chops back in the pot with any juices on the plate.
• Add the tomatoes, 4 1/2 cups water, and tomato paste.
• Drop in a few cheese rinds or ends if you have any.
• Cover the pot, bring to a boil; decrease the heat, and simmer for 30 minutes.
• Gently drop in the meatballs, 1 at a time, shaking the pot a bit to encourage them to nestle in with the pork and sausage and to make room for the addition of more meatballs.
• After all the meatballs have been added, continue to simmer, covered, for 1 hour longer, or until the pork chops are very tender.
• To finish the gravy, transfer the pork chops to a cutting board.
• Remove and discard the bones, chop up the meat, and return it to the sauce.
• Keep warm over low heat while you cook the pasta.
• Bring a large pot of water to a boil.
• Generously salt the water and drop in the spaghetti.
• Cook, stirring often, until al dente; drain pasta.
• To serve--start with a large, heated deep platter or pasta bowl.
• Cover the bottom with a ladleful of gravy and a good sprinkling of Pecorino Romano.
• Top with half the pasta.
• Add more gravy and cheese, the remaining pasta, and another layer of gravy and cheese.
• Serve immediately with more grated cheese.
• Pass the meatballs, sausage, pork, and additional gravy in a bowl at the table.