A Twist and The Grinch

If you haven't noticed yet, meatballs are a must at the Chaston home: they are easy and almost a meal in themselves! So this is just one more of many experimentations and twists on the humble meatball.

At Christmas, what could possibly be a "twist?" Well, what (or who) is initially "twisted" in his perception of Christmas than the Grinch from How the Grinch Stole Christmas? So here's "You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch" sung by Thurl Ravenscroft.

A TWIST ON MEATBALLS     

2 pounds ground sirloin

1 pound spicy sausage

1 onion, diced

2 eggs

1 ½ cups rolled oats

1 ½ cups milk

½ cup feta cheese

½ cup Parmesan cheese, grated

¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes

1 tablespoon oregano leaf

1 tablespoon basil

1 tablespoon lemon juice

½ teaspoon granulated garlic 

¼ teaspoon ground black pepper

¼ teaspoon salt

½ cup Heinz® ketchup

½ cup pasta sauce

2 cups panko bread crumbs

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
2. In a large mixing bowl combine ground sirloin, sausage, diced onion, eggs, oats, milk, feta cheese, Parmesan cheese, red pepper flakes, oregano, basil, lemon juice, granulated garlic, black pepper, salt, catsup, and pasta sauce.
3. Mix well with a large spoon or with your hands to make sure all ingredients are combined together evenly.
4. Make balls about 2 inches in diameter.
5. Put panko bread crumbs on a large plate. Roll each meatball in the panko.
6. Spray a jelly roll pan with Pam.
7. Place meatballs on pan just touching each other. Bake at 400 degrees for 15 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 350 and bake for another 40 minutes. Test for doneness. Bake 10 minutes longer if meat is not done. Make sure the sausage is thoroughly cooked.
8. You can freeze these meatballs in a large sealable bag. When you want one or two for lunch, slice them and pan fry them.