Grandma’s Balls
Our grandmothers had some balls—and we don’t mean any disrespect! Chicken liver and matzoh are the secret ingredients to this Jewish soul-food ball. The trick is coaxing all the sweet goodness from the onions. Well-browned onions in which the sugars are caramelized are the secret to many a Jewish dish, and here’s where low and slow are key. You don’t want them blackened or burned—as your grandma would say, “Have a little patience.”
Recipe information
Yield
Makes about 2 dozen 1 1/2-inch meatballs
Ingredients
Preparation
Step 1
Preheat the oven to 450°F. Drizzle 2 tablespoons of the olive oil into a 9 × 13-inch baking dish and use your hand to evenly coat the entire surface. Set aside.
Step 2
Heat the remaining 3 tablespoons olive oil in a large frying pan over medium-high heat. Add the onions and stir frequently until they are well browned, but not burned, 8 to 10 minutes. Turn down the heat to low and allow the pan to cool for 3 minutes. Add the parsley and ketchup, stirring to incorporate. Transfer the mixture to a small bowl and place in the refrigerator to cool.
Step 3
When the onion mixture is completely cool, combine it with the ground beef, chicken liver, matzoh, salt, bread crumbs, and eggs in a large mixing bowl and mix by hand until thoroughly incorporated.
Step 4
Roll the mixture into round, golf ball–size meatballs (about 1 1/2 inches), making sure to pack the meat firmly. Place the balls in the prepared baking dish, being careful to line them up snugly and in even rows vertically and horizontally to form a grid. The meatballs should be touching one another.
Step 5
Roast for 20 minutes, or until the meatballs are firm and cooked through. A meat thermometer inserted into the center of a meatball should read 165°F.
Step 6
Allow the meatballs to cool for 5 minutes in the baking dish before serving.
