Meatballs and Gravy

2-3 onions, caramelized
4 tbsp olive oil
3-4 cloves of garlic, minced
2 lb. combo of ground veal, beef and pork in equal proportions (if you are lucky enough to have a good butcher they can do this for you!)
2 eggs
1 1 kaiser roll, or 2 slices of bread or in my case, 1 gluten-free roll
1 cup milk - whole, low-fat or skim - whatever you have on hand 2 Tbsp parsley, minced
2 tbsp parsley, minced
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
1/2 cup grated cheese - pecorino romano OR parmesan

Caramelize the onions in 2 Tbsp olive oil. This takes about 20 + minutes.
Add the minced garlic at the end so it doesn't get burned but cooks enough to get aromatic and soft.
While the onions are caramelizing, soak the roll in the milk until is is mushy and breaks into pieces.
Mix the meat, eggs, salt, pepper, parsley, grated cheese and soaked roll together until well blended, and the add the caramelized onion and garlic mixture.
Using your hands, form meat mixture into balls - tiny ones for the manicotti or larger ones for spaghetti and meatballs.

Put all tomatoes in a large sauce pan, rinsing each can with water to get all the bits.
Simmer while you are cooking your meatballs.
As the meatballs are done, plop them into your sauce. Be sure to add all of the pan drippings when you are done and continue to simmer for another hour over low heat.

Yield: 6 -8 servings

Categories: Heirloom Recipes

Tags: meatballs, gravy, meatballs and gravy, macaroni and gravy, italian recipes, heirloom recipe, italian-american traditions, italian-american recipes, childhood food memories