Parmesan-dusted Meatballs

Misc. Sources

MAKES 40 MEATBALLS

    1/3 cup long grain rice                                        
    1 pound ground pork                                            
    1/2 cup fine dry bread crumbs                                  
    2 eggs beaten                                                  
    1 1/2 teaspoons salt                                           
    1/2 teaspoon pepper                                            
    2 cloves garlic minced                                         
    1/4 cup evoo                                                   
    1 sm. onion fine chop                                          
    1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper                                
    1 lg. tomato fine chop                                         
    3/4 cup fresh grate parmesan cheese                            
    2 tablespoons fine chop flat-leaf parsley                      

ACTIVE: 25 MIN/TOTAL: 1 HR

Bring a small saucepan of water to a boil. Add the rice and cook over moderately high heat, stirring occasionally, until tender, about 12 minutes. Drain and let cool.

In a large bowl, combine the ground pork with the cooked rice, bread crumbs, eggs, salt, pepper and half of the garlic. Blend thoroughly with your hands. Wet your hands and roll the mixture into 1-inch meatballs.

In a large skillet, heat the olive oil. Add the onion, crushed red pepper and the remaining garlic and cook over moderate heat until the onion is softened, about 4 minutes. Add the tomato and cook, stirring occasionally, until saucy, about 5 minutes. Add the meatballs, cover and cook over moderately low heat, carefully turning the meatballs a few times, until firm and cooked through, about 10 minutes. Using tongs, transfer the meatballs to a rimmed baking sheet to cool.

In a shallow bowl, combine the Parmesan and parsley. Roll the meatballs in the Parmesan-parsley mixture to coat, then transfer the meatballs to a platter, skewer with toothpicks and serve.