Mama Bear's Meatballs and Sauce (Me)

So...I ran across Antoinette's old Italian recipe posted on my blog, but I had to tweak it a bit.  No Surprise. However, I did learn that these meatballs were the best I have ever made.  Antoinette's secret, by not browning or baking them, was the golden ticket.  I will never do that again. I promise you, you will never change this recipe and will use it forever.   

With love and full tummies ~ Mama Bear 

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Let's Get Cooking!

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Sunday Tomato Sauce Ingredients :

• 2 cans 28 oz of San Marzano crushed tomatoes (best quality) OR use whole San Marzano Tomatoes and squish them with your hands or use a potato masher.  The potato masher will control the bursting of the tomatoes and is less likely to make a mess.
• 1 can of 28 oz tomato puree
• 1 can of 6 oz tomato paste
• 12 leaves of fresh basil torn (they bruise easily so best if torn)
• 3 T Italian seasoning
• 1 T parsley flakes
• 1 cup of dry red wine (optional but adds a depth of flavor)
• 4 tbsp of extra virgin olive oil
• 1 medium size onion, finely chopped (if you don't like onion, use 1 T onion powder)
• 4 cloves of fresh garlic finely chopped
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Optional:
• 1 T red pepper flakes if you like some heat

OR you can use 4 jars of your favorite marinara sauce.  I prefer to use one that doesn't have sugar in the ingredients.  

Sunday Sauce Instructions :

• Sauté onions in a large pot of EVOO until tender.  Add the minced garlic, red pepper flakes, tomato paste and salt/pepper to taste.  Cook for about 2 minutes, constantly stirring.
• Add all the rest of the ingredients to the pot and then simmer on low for one hour in a covered pot.
• Note: you can transfer to a crock pot now and then add the meatballs. 

Meatball Ingredients :

• 2.5 lbs of ground beef 
• 1 cup of seasoned Panko Italian breadcrumbs or plain but add 2 T Italian Seasoning OR use GF Panko
• 1/2 cup of fresh parsley, finely chopped OR 1/3 cup dried parsley
• 1/2 cup of grated Pecorino Romano/Parmesan cheese 
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 3 cloves of garlic, finely chopped
• 1/4 cup of onion powder OR 1 small onion minced finely
• 2 tbsp of garlic powder
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 1/4 2% cup milk or heavy cream

Meatball Instructions :

• In a large bowl — add 2 eggs, lightly beaten.
• Add all ingredients above (except meat), mix and combine. 
• Add ground beef.  Do not over mix.  I turn the mixture over and over and poke holes in with my fingers to blend in the spices/Panko/Parmesan cheese into the ground beef. It's kind of therapeutic.  
• Wet the palm of your hands with warm water using a small bowl. This process will keep the meatballs moist. 
• Start rolling meatballs, roll each meatball the same desired sized. This should make about 25-30 meatballs. I make them bigger than a golf ball so more likely 20 meatballs. I roll them all at once...because I am on a roll (get it?). Moving on....
• Place the meatballs into the sauce as it simmers and cook for 60-90 minutes in a partially covered pot. Make sure that the sauce isn't boiling.  I like to put it on low and let it get yummy in time.

My Notes :

• If you choose to take a short cut and use jarred marinara, just add the sauce and skip the Sunday Sauce recipe above.  I would heat up the sauce first though before adding the raw meatballs.
• Once you add the meatballs into the crock pot with hot sauce, put it on low for 3 hours.  
• Be careful to not stir them too much, or at all, to keep their shape.  This is why I like putting them into a crock pot. 
• These meatballs can be frozen too.  Make sure you place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper in a single row, not touching one another and freeze them solid.  Once they are frozen, remove them from parchment paper and place them into zip lock bags.  They will be good for a couple of months. 
• You can use these meatballs for Swedish Meatballs or put BBQ sauce on them.  Adjust the seasonings. (i.e.: don't use Italian seasonings) 

Source: Mama Bear Nikki

Crock Pot Mashed Potatoes *

There’s nothing quite like a warm, creamy bowl of mashed potatoes to complete a meal, and when you can make them in a crockpot, they become even more irresistible. Crock Pot Mashed Potatoes are the epitome of comfort food — they’re easy to prepare, full of rich flavor, and the perfect side dish for any occasion, from a weeknight dinner to a holiday feast.

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Let's Get Cooking!

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Serves: 12

Ingredients :

• 5 pounds cubed Russet or Yukon Gold potatoes peeled, washed and cut into chunks
• 1 cup salted butter divided
• 32 ounces chicken broth
• 8 ounces cream cheese softened, regular or ⅓-less fat
• 1 cup heavy whipping cream
• 1 teaspoon salt or to taste
• Garnish options: chopped fresh parsley, sliced chives, or pats of butter.

Instructions :

• Place the peeled and cut russet potatoes into a crockpot.
• Pour broth over the potatoes and half of the butter, cubed.
• Cover the crockpot and cook on high heat for 3-4 hours, or on low heat for 6-7 hours, until the potatoes are tender and easily mashed with a fork.
• Once the potatoes are fully cooked, carefully drain any excess broth from the crockpot, and add the remaining butter, cream cheese, and heavy whipping cream. Cover and cook on high for 10 minutes. 
• Add salt. Using a potato masher or an electric mixer, mash the potatoes directly in the crockpot until smooth and creamy. Taste and adjust the salt as needed. Cover and keep potatoes on the warm setting until ready to serve.
• Garnish the top of potatoes with fresh chives, parsley, or extra butter, if desired.

Why you will Love this recipe :

• Hands-Off Cooking: Set it and forget it! The crockpot does all the work, freeing up oven space and allowing you to focus on other dishes or simply relax.
• Creamy and Delicious: The combination of butter, cream cheese, and heavy whipping cream makes these creamy potatoes incredibly rich and velvety.
• Perfect for Entertaining: These slow cooker mashed potatoes can stay warm in the crockpot, making them ideal for serving during large gatherings or a holiday meal.
• Versatile Garnishes: Whether you prefer a sprinkle of chives or a pat of butter, you can customize this easy slow cooker dish to your liking.
• Make-Ahead Friendly: You can easily prepare this make-ahead crockpot mashed potatoes recipe in advance, which is a lifesaver during busy cooking days.
• Lighter Version: Substitute half-and-half or whole milk for the heavy cream for a lighter version. You can also use low-fat cream cheese or greek yogurt.

Notes, Tips and Variations :

• Cut Potatoes Evenly: Cut the potatoes into even-sized chunks to ensure they cook at the same rate.
• Make It Vegan: Replace butter with vegan butter, cream cheese with a dairy-free alternative, and chicken broth with vegetable broth.
• Seasoning Boost: Incorporate fresh or dried herbs like rosemary, thyme, or dill for an earthy, aromatic flavor. You can also add onion powder, white pepper, or black pepper.
• Chunky or Smooth: For chunkier mashed potatoes, mash lightly with a potato masher; for ultra-smooth potatoes, use a hand mixer, potato ricer, or immersion blender.
• Garlic Mashed Potatoes: Add minced cloves of garlic or garlic powder to the potatoes before cooking for a delicious garlic flavor.
• Cheesy Mashed Potatoes: Stir in shredded cheddar cheese or Parmesan cheese before serving for a cheesy twist.
• Bacon-Infused: Mix in crispy bacon bits for a smoky, savory addition.

Storage and Freezing :

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the crockpot, microwave, or on the stovetop with a splash of cream or milk to restore creaminess.
You can freeze mashed potatoes in an airtight container for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

Nutrition:

Calories: 393kcal | Carbohydrates: 36g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 26g | Saturated Fat: 16g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 73mg | Sodium: 707mg | Potassium: 881mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 870IU | Vitamin C: 11mg | Calcium: 73mg | Iron: 2mg

Source:  Dinner321