Meatballs are perfect party food. They are great for adults and kids alike; although this recipe has a lot of flavor, so kids may not like it. If you plan to serve it to children, you can make do without the paprika, cumin and oregano. The ground garlic and onions will do just fine. You can also sweeten the sauce by adding a dash of sugar if desired.

In my opinion, the recipe is just fine. I like the burst of paprika once you pop the meatball in your mouth. The garlic basil sauce is just right too because its creaminess makes you crave for more. I prefer the sauce chilled because it reminds me of Mediterranean garlic yogurt sauce, which is a good alternative for this dish as well.

 

Makes 50 Meatballs

Ingredients:

 

For the Meatballs:

1 lb. ground pork

1 lb. ground beef

1 cup bread crumbs

1/2 cup milk

2 beaten eggs

1 teaspoon paprika

1 teaspoon ground cumin

1 teaspoon garlic powder

1 teaspoon onion powder

1/2 teaspoon ground oregano

Salt and pepper to taste

 

For the Garlic-Basil Sauce:

1 cup mayonnaise

1/2 cup sour cream

1/2 cup basil

3 cloves garlic

2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

Salt and pepper

 

Prepare the sauce by combining the mayonnaise, sour cream, basil, garlic and lemon juice in a food processor or blender. Process them for 1 minute or until smooth. Season it with salt and pepper. Transfer the sauce to a sealed container and refrigerate.

To make the meatballs, place the ground beef, ground pork, bread crumbs, milk, beaten eggs, paprika, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder and ground oregano in a large bowl. Season it with salt and pepper. Knead it with your hands or mix it using a wooden spoon until all the ingredients are well combined.

Shape the meat mixture into meatballs. Place them on a baking sheet and refrigerate it for 30 minutes to one hour.

Bake the chilled meatballs in a preheated oven (400F) for 12-15 minutes or until they are brown and crispy. Turn at least once. Remove from oven and place the meatballs in a platter. Let it stand for 2 minutes before serving. Serve with garlic and basil sauce.

 

Photo Courtesy Of:  andrewmalone