Grilled Italian Meatballs Food

GRILLED ITALIAN MEATBALLS

Steps:

• Combine all ingredients except pasta sauce in a large mixing bowl and mix thoroughly.
• If using charcoal- build your fire and make it low-medium heat, about 225-250°F Coat the grates with oil or non-stick spray.
• Shape mixture into balls slightly smaller than a baseball, but bigger than a golf ball and then set them aside. UPDATE: I started using a 1/4 cup measuring cup to scoop the mixture and it makes the meatballs just the right size.
• Pour half of the sauce in a grill (oven) safe stock pot or roasting pan that will be large enough to hold all the meatballs. Place the pot/pan on the grill away from the direct heat when the fire is ready.
• When the grill is ready place the meatballs directly over the heat and sear on both the top and bottom for 3-5 minutes per side.
• When you are done searing the meatballs, place them away from the direct heat (I have a top rack on my grill and place them here).
• Let them cook for 5-8 more minutes or until the meatballs are firm, but not fully cooked and then place all the meatballs in the pot/pan and place that directly over the heat source.
• Cook for an additional 8-10 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 155-160 degrees F (you could also cut a meatball in half to make sure that the meat is no longer pink in the middle).

GRILLED MEATBALL SUBS

Steps:

• Preheat a grill to medium. Combine the beef, sausage, garlic, egg, breadcrumbs, parmesan, 3/4 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper in a large bowl; mix with your hands. Form into twelve 1 1/2-inch meatballs.
• Toss the bell peppers and scallions with the olive oil in another large bowl; season with 1/4 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper. Oil the grill grates and arrange the meatballs, peppers and scallions on the grill. Cover and grill the vegetables, turning once, until lightly charred and tender, 2 to 3 minutes for the scallions, 5 to 7 minutes for the peppers. Grill the meatballs, turning occasionally, until browned and cooked through, 10 to 12 minutes. Toast the rolls cut-side down on the grill.
• Cut the scallions into pieces. Spread 2 tablespoons ricotta on the bottom half of each roll. Top with the meatballs, scallions and peppers.

ITALIAN MEATBALL SKEWERS

Steps:

• Preheat a grill pan over medium-high heat.
• Divide and skewer the meatballs, vegetables and bread evenly on 8 large skewers. Brush each of the skewers all over with the dressing.
• Grill the skewers on all sides until there are grill marks on all the ingredients and the meatballs are heated through, 8 to 10 minutes.
• Remove the skewers to a platter and sprinkle over the Parmesan cheese and parsley. Pour the warm marinara into a bowl and serve on the side.

COPYCAT OF CARRABA'S ITALIAN GRILL MEATBALLS

Steps:

• preheat oven to 375.
• combine everything but oil in a bowl.
• heat oil over medium high heat.
• roll mixture into 1 1/2 inch balls and fry til almost done but not completely.
• bake in oven for 25 minutes.

GRILLED PASTA WITH GRILLED MEATBALLS

Steps:

• In a large bowl, mix together the meat, eggs, cheese, parsley, oregano, basil, onion, bread crumbs, and garlic, and season with salt and pepper. Add 1 cup of the water. Knead the water into the meat mixture with your hands. Knead and form meatballs into about 1 1/2-inch balls with a 2-ounce scoop (see Chef's Note) or roll into balls with your hands.
• VAC-PACKED COOKING METHOD: Seal the meatballs with just a teaspoon of extra-virgin olive oil and cook them in 130°F water for 35 minutes.
• OLD-WORLD COOKING METHOD: Place the meatballs in a large saucepan or skillet on the stove (use 2 pans if they don't all fit in a single pan), add 1/2 cup of the water over them (1/2 cup water to each pan if using 2 pans), and cover. Steam the meatballs over medium heat for about 25 minutes. Transfer to a platter and refrigerate until you're ready to grill them.
• Turn a gas grill to high or ignite charcoal. When the grill is hot, for both gas and charcoal grills, clean your grill rack. Decrease the temperature to medium-high (on a gas grill only), and brush or wipe a little olive oil on the grill rack.
• In batches, grill the meatballs in a cast-iron pan or plancha on the grill until they're well-browned all the way around, 4 minutes total for the vac-packed meatballs and about 6 minutes total for the pan-cooked meatballs. Remove from the heat and reserve.
• Fill a large pot with about 5 quarts of water, add the kosher salt, and bring to a boil over high heat on your stove. Add the pasta and cook until just al dente, 6 to 8 minutes. Drain the pasta, reserving 1 cup of the pasta water.
• Spread the pasta on a baking sheet and drizzle with 2 tablespoons of the olive oil, so it won't stick together.
• Lightly oil a long, flat grill basket or spritz with nonstick cooking spray. With tongs, add half the pasta to the basket, arranging it in a thin even layer. (If you have two grill baskets, cook both batches of pasta at once.) Place the basket on a rack over hot coals and turn frequently, until the pasta turns a golden color. You'll hear it crackling during grilling.
• Empty the grill basket into a large heat-proof bowl. Toss the pasta with 1 to 2 cups of Grilled Tomato Sauce. If it needs some moisture, add 1/4 cup of the reserved pasta water and toss again. Add the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil, and 2 tablespoons of the pecorino cheese. Toss. Transfer to a serving bowl, top with the remaining pecorino cheese, and serve immediately.