Meatballs

[juliet325]

I want to make meatballs with ground beef 1lb. How much dried thyme would it take to flavor it? Thanks

 

[Andy M.]

1 tsp. assuming you are going to add other ingredients such as breadcrumbs, egg, etc.

 

[Marlingardener]

Instead of thyme, use dried basil. As Andy said, breadcrumbs, egg, and the ground beef will make a good meatball, but adding basil will make a great meatball! You can throw in some oregano if you like.

 

[Andy M.]

Instead of thyme, use dried basil. As Andy said, breadcrumbs, egg, and the ground beef will make a good meatball, but adding basil will make a great meatball! You can throw in some oregano if you like.

Assuming you're looking for an Italian flavored meatball.

 

[msmofet]

Grated Italian cheese, fresh garlic and onions are also good to add if you want an Italian meatball.

 

[juliet325]

What I was thinking about doing was meatballs in a gravy to surve over mashed potatoes. I would use all the usual ingredients. Thanks for all the replies. J

 

[Andy M.]

What I was thinking about doing was meatballs in a gravy to surve over mashed potatoes. I would use all the usual ingredients. Thanks for all the replies. J

I'd add some garlic and onion, grated cheese along with the usual meatball ingredients. Brown the meatballs thoroughly in a skillet then bake to finish cooking. Meanwhile, make a gravy in the skillet with the fond.

 

[msmofet]

I'd add some garlic and onion, grated cheese along with the usual meatball ingredients. Brown the meatballs thoroughly in a skillet then bake to finish cooking. Meanwhile, make a gravy in the skillet with the fond.

Great minds.

 

[Andy M.]

Great minds.

Sounds kind of repetitious. Sorry, it was an unconscious plagiarism.

 

[msmofet]

No problem. Just playing with you.

 

[dr morbius]

I am of the opinion that a little thyme goes a long way. I certainly wouldn't overdo it; assuming you are adding other herbs and spices (I absolutely would), maybe half a teaspoon of thyme. Use too much thyme and you won't taste anything else.

 

[Meryl]

Just thought I'd share my personal simple recipe for meatballs, whether you want to fry them or cook them in a tomato sauce.

For 4/5 portions:
500gr top quality beef mince
Breadcrumbs (about 100gr)
Grated parmesan
1 whole egg (or 2 if necessary)
Chopped garlic or garlic powder
Chopped fresh parsley or dried if you don't have fresh.
Salt and pepper

Just mix all ingredients together, form meatballs, size depends on your preference, I get about 16 meatballs from the above doses, it depends.
I make a tomato sauce, while it's cooking, pop in the meatballs, cook for about another 30/40 mins. Then I use the sauce for pasta (rigatoni o other medium-size short pasta, not spaghetti).

An all-in-one quick, easy two-course meal!

 

[dragnlaw]

Yes, I agree with dr morbius, be careful adding your thyme. I love thyme but when there is too much it can ruin the dish.

 

[Roll_Bones]

I am of the opinion that a little thyme goes a long way. I certainly wouldn't overdo it; assuming you are adding other herbs and spices (I absolutely would), maybe half a teaspoon of thyme. Use too much thyme and you won't taste anything else.

Agree. Dried thyme can easily overpower.

 

[medtran49]

Once you mix, take enough out for a couple of bites, fry it and taste. You can then add more seasonings if needed. Remember the old adage of you can always add more, but you can't take away.

 

[Sir_Loin_of_Beef]

I make my meatballs with 1 lb beef, 1/2 lb pork and 1/2 lb veal. My meatballs are basically made for Italian meals, so I substitute hot Italian sausage meat for the pork. That way you don't have to season the meatball mix.

I use shredded bread instead of bread crumbs, 1 egg, 1/4 cup milk, and salt & pepper. I form my meatballs using a 1/2 cup measure to make them consistent, and I braise them in tomato sauce for 45 minutes to cook them through. The shredded bread will absorb some of the braising sauce, making the meatballs even larger. I HATE dinky meatballs!