Bite with Belkys: Meatballs from Luca Bella

The Chef: Luciana Crosa

The Restaurant: Luca Bella

The Dish: Mickey's Meatballs

Ingredients for Meatballs:

2 lbs. of 80/20 ground beef

2 cups of pecorino reggiano cheese

2 cups of bread crumbs

6 garlic cloves, minced

2 Tbs of fresh basil

1 Tbs of fresh parsley

1/3 cup of chicken stock

2 whole eggs

salt, to taste

pepper, to taste

extra virgin olive oil, to cook

Ingredients for Topping:

2 Tbs of ricotta

2 Tbs of mascarpone cheese

1 tsp of garlic, minced

1 tsp of fresh parsley, chopped

Ingredients for Sauce:

2 oz. of extra virgin olive oil

4-5 garlic cloves

1 1/2 cups of crushed tomato

1 tsp of fresh parsley

1 tsp of fresh basil

salt, to taste

pepper, to taste

Method of Preparation:

-Start by making the meatballs. In a bowl, combine the meat, pecorino reggiano, bread crumbs, garlic, basil and parsley.

-Then, slowly mix in the chicken stock.

-Next, add eggs, a little extra virgin olive oil, salt and pepper and mix it all together. Shape the meatballs to a medium size and cook in a hot pan with extra virgin olive oil.

-Now, prepare the topping. Mix ricotta, mascarpone, garlic and parsley. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper and whip it.

-For the sauce, drizzle a little extra virgin olive oil in a hot pan and brown a few garlic cloves. Then, add crushed tomatoes, parsley, basil, salt and pepper. Stir it together and cook for about three minutes.

To plate:

Top the meatballs with the tomato sauce and the ricotta, mascarpone mix.

Serving Suggestion: Baby Amarone

Serves: 6

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Luca Bella

19088 NE 29th Ave

Aventura, FL 33180

(305) 792-2222

www.lucabella.net/about.html