Friday, July 23, 2010

Chicken Meatballs with Ariosto Seasoning


Its no secret that we're in the midst of an extraordinarily hot summer. Record highs have been set all over the country and here in the city, we've been living in a blast furnace; each day more hot and humid than the next. I'd say that its typical for July, except that we're on pace to have the hottest July on record. Ole.

My birthday fell smack in the middle of this unusually hot month and when dinner time rolled around, I wanted what I always want for my birthday meal ... despite the heat. I wanted meatballs.

Its long been a joke in my family that my birthday tends to be the hottest day of the year. It wasn't this year, but it was close. Regardless of the heat, I bowed to tradition; only this year, I lightened things up a bit. I chose to make chicken meatballs and I had a little help in seasoning them too.

Recently, the good folks at Ariosto seasonings reached out to me and offered me some samples of their seasoning blends. I happily accepted. Made in Milan, Italy, with Sicilian sea salt, Ariosto seasonings are one of Italy's top selling brands. They feature a delightful blend of herbs and sea salt, with no additives, MSG, or artificial ingredients. Ariosto sent me a wonderful assortment of their blends, and in this recipe I've used their: Insaporitore per Carni (seasoning for meat and chicken), Aglio e Peperoncino (a spicy blend featuring garlic and crushed red pepper flakes), and Insaporitore per Sughi al Pomodoro (seasoning for tomato sauce).

The results? Magnificent! Or, should I say, magnifico?! The sauce had a wonderfully spicy kick, due to the crushed red pepper flakes, and the meatballs were tender and perfectly seasoned. Mille grazie per tutti, Ariosto!

Spicy Tomato Sauce:
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 cloves of garlic, peeled and minced
  • 1 teaspoon Ariosto Aglio e Peperoncino seasoning
  • one 7g packet of Ariosto Sughi al Pomodoro seasoning
  • one 28 oz. can of crushed tomatoes
  • 2 teaspoons tomato paste
  • one 8 oz. can of tomato sauce
  • 1/4 cup good quality red wine
  • 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
1. Heat the oil in a large, non-reactive, sauce pan over medium-high heat until hot but not smoking. Add the minced garlic and 1 tsp. of Ariosto Aglio e Peperoncino seasoning and saute, stirring, for one minute.

2. Add the rest of the ingredients to the pot, stir well to combine, and allow the mixture to just come to the boil. Reduce heat to low, cover and simmer, while you make the meatballs. Stir once in a while, for good measure.

Chicken Meatballs:
  • 1 pound ground chicken breast
  • 1 teaspoon Ariosto Insaporitore per Carni seasoning
  • 2 teaspoons salt-free grilling blend (I use Mrs. Dash Steak blend)
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • some freshly ground black pepper
  • dash of freshly grated nutmeg
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
  • 1 egg, beaten
  • 1/4 cup seasoned whole wheat bread crumbs
Pre-heat your oven to 425 degrees F.

1. In a large mixing bowl, combine all of the ingredients and mix well - with clean hands, or a fork - to blend. Mix until fully incorporated. Mixture will be slightly sticky. Form the mixture into 12 even, round, meatballs and place on a large baking sheet when formed.

2. Bake meatballs in the middle of a pre-heated 425 degree oven for 15 minutes.

3. Remove from oven and transfer the meatballs to the sauce, stirring to coat. Cover the pot and allow the meatballs to simmer gently in the sauce - on very low heat - for at least 30 minutes and up to an hour, so the flavors will meld. Stir once in a while to ensure they don't stick to the bottom of the pan. Serve over cooked pasta and garnish with some chopped fresh parsley and freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Enjoy!

As written, this recipe will serve 6.

Careful readers will note the lack of salt in both the meatballs and the sauce. Since the seasoning blends feature sea salt, I found it unnecessary to use additional salt. Do as you see fit.

Ariosto seasonings are available online and in some specialty markets across the country. I look forward to trying their potato and fish blends, as well as future experimentation with the seasoning for meat. I really enjoyed the flavor of the sauce seasoning, and found the ease of use to be a real time saver - no need to measure or dust off a long list of herbs and spices ... its all right there in that happy little packet.

A brief word of caution regarding the Aglio e Peperoncino blend ... its spicy! Personally, I like it that way, but go easy if you're heat averse.

Lastly, if you're unable to find Ariosto seasonings in your neck of the words, feel free to reach out to the charming and delightful Mr. Saverio Lo Presti - you may contact him via email: slopresti@ariosto.it - and he will respond immediately.

Buon appetito!

20 comments:

Mary Bergfeld said...

This sounds like such a lovely meal. You've put those seasoning to good use. I hope you are having a great day. Blessings...Mary

words...words...words... said...

YUM. I'm always trying to perfect the meatball. It seems like it should be an easy food to master, but it's maddeningly hard to make a superior meatball. I'll give this a go!

The Diva on a Diet said...

Thanks, Mary, I hope you're having a great day too! :)

words words words - I should probably note for the record that this is not my standard meatball recipe. Its something I whipped up wanting a lighter meal. I will post the standard recipe when the weather cools off.

As for making meatballs - I really don't think you can go wrong. Use good ingredients, season them with stuff that you like and cook. If you're worried about the seasoning, you can always make a tiny meatball, cook it and then taste for flavor and adjust if necessary. :)

Ipmilat said...

Sounds lovely, but definitely for autumn. Belated happy birthday!

Lentil Breakdown said...

Must be lunch time. You've got me jonesing for Italian now! Happy belated birthday!

Unknown said...

Ah that is just so delicious. I am so there daaaaahling.
Have a wonderful weekend.
*kisses* HH
p.s. Happy belated birthday. I guess we are both cancer signs no?

Elizabeth said...

Super yum! It looks like something you'd get at a nice restaurant. Happy birthday! :)

Deb said...

My meatballs always fall apart - :(

I have not given up but am still struggling for that perfect shape.

My b'day meal when my mom still cooked was liver and onions - I know not a popular choice but one of my diner food faves!

Easy Picnic Recipes said...

Yummy yummy!
Great recipes collection and i always love to eat meatball.

Charmian @Christie's Corner said...

I go for comfort food at my birthday, too. Sorry you're suffering through this heat. We're in the same boat here in Southern Ontario.

Hope you enjoyed a fabulous meal.

Elle Sees said...

I'm drooling as we speak!

Fresh Local and Best said...

Nothing, I have found nothing will get in the way of what we want for our birthday. I am sure the seasonings made these meatballs an even bigger treat.

Astra Libris said...

Diva, thank you oh so much for your incredibly kind, wonderful words about my wedding dress! :-) You are so sweet - I'm so blessed to have you has a blog-friend, and I too feels as though we are "related" across the miles! :-)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! I hope your birthday was as perfect and wonderful as you are... :-) Love love love these gorgeous chicken meatballs, and the seasoning blends sound dreamy!

Sook said...

I love chicken meatballs! I actually like turkey meatballs, too. The sauce looks delicious.

Katherine Roberts Aucoin said...

Hope you had a wonderful birthday...your meal looks spectacular. I'm going to look for the Ariosto seasonings - onlines seems like the simpliest and best bet. Thanks for sharing - think cool thoughts!

stephchows said...

mm nice lightened version!! and happy late birthday!

Tangled Noodle said...

Happy Belated Birthday! I'm so sorry that my visits are so sporadic that I missed greeting you properly on your special day. And it must've been special indeed with this dish. How wonderful that you have a special dish with which you celebrate! It looks delicious . . .

Lazaro Cooks said...

Happy Belated Birthday! Wonderful dish. Comfort food at it's best. Bravo.

The Diva on a Diet said...

Thanks for the kind words and belated birthday wishes, everyone! :)

Cathy Pieroz said...

Looks fresh and tasty, yum!! Looking forward to giving this recipe a try, thanks :) - Cathy Pieroz at Ray White Alexandra Hills