CURVE BALLS: Twists on Meatball Recipes
Spicy salmon meatballsAs simple as their shrimp counterparts, salmon meatballs allow for the novel use of fresh salmon. These meatballs can be baked and are perfect for salads. (Photo: Simply Beautiful Eating)

Well-made meatballs are things of joy – packed with flavour, juicy, and tender throughout. A bowl of meatballs, whether with pasta, served alongside rice, or enjoyed on their own, can warm hearts. Although the process of making the perfect meatball can be quite involved, there are a few rules that, when abided by, will ensure that you'll make the perfect meatball every time.

Method:

First, make sure that there's an excellent lean meat-to-fat ratio. This allows the meatballs to come out moist and juicy.

Next, use a panada. A panada is a binder made by letting bread soak in milk or stock and mulching it into a paste. Not only does the panada allow the meatball to keep its shape, but it also keeps the meatballs moist and tender.

The third rule is to sear the meatball before covering in sauce, or baking.

Finally, avoid over-mixing, as this will make the meatballs dense and tough.

Along with beef, meatballs can be made from chicken, pork, duck, salmon and shrimp. Meaning, this comfort food is versatile, and the whole family can enjoy coming up with new recipes to enjoy. Whether you opt to cook meatballs in a slow cooker, pan-fry on a cast-iron skillet, or bake, you'll enjoy these twists on traditional meatball recipes.

Thursday Food suggests serving meatball combos this weekend and watch those faces crease in wide smiles as they relish each bite!

Butcher Block Master Meat Crafter Gregory Burrowes (Photo: Garfield Robinson)
Italian meatballsThese meatballs are made with ground beef, onion, garlic, parmesan cheese, and parsley. The ingredients give the dish a deep and complex flavour and allow it to remain tender and juicy.(Photo: Cookerru)
Lamb meatballsCombine ground lamb with cumin, allspice, cinnamon, feta, tzatziki and lots of fresh parsley to create tasty meatballs that are perfect for pita sandwiches or piled atop couscous.
Sweet and sour meatballsBest made with a combination of ground beef and pork, sweet-and-sour glazed meatballs are tangy and, with the addition of pineapple, just sweet enough. This dish is best served over rice. (Photo:Taste of Home)
Shrimp meatballsCommon in South-East Asia, shrimp meatballs cook in minutes, and the flavour can be amped up by using copious amounts of fresh basil and scallions. (Photo: Pinterest)

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