Make extraordinary meatballs with this great recipe. They' ll turn out juicy and delicious if you use good quality meat, use bread soaked in warm bread or water, fry-don't bake them, turn them just once and only put them in the sauce 30 minutes before ser
1 small loaf stale Italian bread (about 8 thick slices) torn into 2½-inch chunks
warm water or milk to cover bread
2 lb. 80% lean ground beef or veal chuck, or mixture of both, broken up
6 cloves garlic, coarsely chopped
1/2 c. finely chopped flat-leaf parsley
1 large egg, lightly beaten
1½ c. grated Parmigiano-Reggiano, divided
kosher salt
freshly ground black pepper, to taste
canola oil, for frying
Put bread chunks in a bowl; add enough warm water/milk to cover bread; let stand 5 minutes, turning to moisten evenly; gently squeeze out excess water/milk.
Add ground beef, garlic, parsley, egg and 3/4 c. Parmigiano Reggiano cheese to the bread; combine; season with the salt and pepper, to taste. Using your hands, knead mixture for at least 5 minutes, until combined and smooth.
Pinch a tablespoon of meat mixture into palms; shape into a ball. Place on a baking sheet; continue with the remaining mixture.
Fill a 10-inch skillet halfway with the canola oil; heat over high heat. When strands form along the bottom, slide 8 - 10 meatballs at a time into the oil. DO NOT overcrowd. They should be 3/4 submerged in oil. Reduce heat to medium; fry 6 - 7 minutes each side, turning only one time.
Remove meatballs from oil; place on a platter; turn heat back up to high before starting another batch.