The Perfect Italian Meatballs

Recipe by Fabio Viviani
http://shine.yahoo.com/channel/food/the-perfect-italian-meatballs-2606824/

Cook time: 25 Minutes
Yield: 8 meatballs

1 lb. ground beef (90/10)
4 oz. whole milk ricotta cheese
1 cup Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, grated
1 cup panko bread crumbs
1 egg
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 shallots, minced
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
salt & fresh cracked pepper to taste
fresh parsley for garnish

Place all above ingredients in a medium sized bowl and mix thoroughly by hand until they are completely combined and the mixture is uniformly firm.

Coat your hands in olive oil, and using your hands form mixture into 3-4 oz. balls

Drop the meatballs into Fabio’s tomato sauce (see recipe here) and add some water so that the sauce can reduce and simmer. Let cook for about 10 minutes on one side.

Turn them over, add some more water and cook for another 10 minutes, covering in the sauce with a spoon as they simmer.

Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Garnish with chopped parsley, salt and pepper, more shaved parmegiano reggiano and a drizzle of olive oil, of course!