Spicy Olive Meatballs

Serves 6

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 1/2 cups onions, chopped
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons minced garlic
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons dried oregano
  • 1 cup California Black Ripe Olives, sliced
  • 1 1/4 pounds extra lean ground beef
  • 3/4 cup ground pork
  • 1/2 cup dried breadcrumbs
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 egg, beaten
  • 1 egg white
  • Kosher salt and crushed red pepper flakes to taste
  • 3 cups prepared marinara sauce

Directions

  1. Heat 1 teaspoon of olive oil in a medium-sized sauté pan.
  2. Add onions and cook for 4-5 minutes until tender. Stir in garlic and oregano and continue cooking for 1 minute, then remove from heat.
  3. Mix in California Ripe Olives and set aside to cool slightly.
  4. In a large mixing bowl, combine cooled olive mixture with beef, pork, breadcrumbs and parmesan cheese.
  5. Stir in eggs, and season to taste with salt and pepper flakes. Form into a dozen 3-inch meatballs and set aside on a clean plate.
  6. Heat remaining oil in a large high-sided sauté pan over medium high heat.
  7. Place each meatball into pan and brown for 4-6 minutes, turning occasionally until evenly seared.
  8. Pour marinara sauce over the top and bring to a boil.
  9. Cover, turn heat down to a simmer and cook for 30 minutes until heated through.* Serving suggestion: serve over a plate of warm spaghetti.
Nutritional Analysis Per Serving:

Calories 455, Fat 26g, Cholesterol 141mg, Sodium 792mg, Carbohydrate 20g, Protein 36g, Calories from fat 50%.