9/23/13 ChefElla's Mini Cheeseburger Meatballs

CHEFELLA'S MINI CHEESEBURGER MEATBALLS

There is a restaurant where I live, and I heard that all they serve is meatballs.  That made me think, if I had a meatball restaurant what kind would I make?  The only meatballs I had ever seen were the meatballs I ate in my spaghetti.  What other kind of meatballs could there be?  My mom helped me look at the menu for the restaurant and it turns out there are all sorts of meatballs.  There were so many meatballs, that there were even vegetable meatballs, although they really aren't called meatballs.  After looking at the menu I decided that I would like a cheeseburger meatball.  I tried a few other kinds of meatballs, Swedish Meatballs, Sweet and Sour Meatballs, Chicken Meatballs, Turkey Meatballs, Spicy Meatballs, and a few others, but I like cheeseburgers, so it sounded fun to make a cheeseburger meatball.  After you try this recipe you can make up your own meatball using your favorite ingredients.

For this recipe you will need to use a knife and the oven.  If you are not allowed to use a knife or the oven by yourself you can have a grown up help.

1. Wash your hands.

2. For this recipe you will need measuring cups and spoons, a cookie sheet, a large mixing bowl, a knife, aluminum foil, a small scooper and a cutting board.

Mini Cheeseburger Meatballs (This recipe will make about 15-20 small meatballs)

Ingredients:
1 Lb.       Hamburger Meat 80/20
               -80/20 means that for every one pound of meat that a little over three quarters of the mix is
                meat and the rest is fat.  Remember a little fat is ok, but when you eat a lot of fat and sugar it
                can be really bad for you.  If you would like less fat in your meatball you can choose 90/10
                meat or another meat like turkey or chicken.

3-4oz.      Cheddar Cheese, Medium Diced
                Cut the cheddar cheese into squares about 1/4 inch by 1/4 inch.  A little bigger or smaller will
                still be o.k.

1 tsp         Salt
1/4 tsp      Black Pepper
1/4 tsp      Garlic Powder
1 ea          Egg

(Pre-Heat your oven to 425F.)

3. Line a cookie sheet with aluminum foil and spray it with pan spray.
4. Crack the egg into your bowl.  Mix the egg with the salt, pepper and garlic powder.

5. Add the hamburger and blend the mixture with your hands.  Squeeze all of the ingredients together.

6. When the ingredients are mixed it will be time to make your meatballs.

7. With your small scoop, scoop out your meatballs.  Each meatball should be about 1oz.  If you make
    bigger or smaller meatballs it is ok, you will just need to adjust your cooking time.

8. After all of your meatballs are made take one and pull it in half.  Put a piece of cheese in the center,
    and mold the meatball around it.  Roll the meatball in your hands until it looks like a ball again.

9. Put the finished meatball on the pan and then finish the rest.

10. When all of the meatballs are finished wash your hands really well with soap and water.  Put the
       pan in the oven and bake for 12-15 minutes.  Don't worry if some of the cheese comes
       out when you cook them, they will still taste like cheeseburgers.
      -Note:  If you make bigger or smaller meatballs they make take a minute or two more or less to
       cook.

These meatballs would be a great addition to your macaroni and cheese, served with fries or chips, or turned into a cheeseburger meatball submarine sandwich.  Remember the next time you make your meatballs you can change or add ingredients to make them your favorite.  Try bacon, blue cheese, peppers, onions, parmesan, or whatever else you can think of.

Enjoy

- ChefElla