One last meatball recipe before we go on to other things.
I am really hoping that the other things will involve a barbecue grill and the return to outdoor cooking.
Today was actually a nice, sunny day… The first we’ve had with no rain in a very long time. The temperature got all the way up to 15C (60F). We have not lit a fire.
However, busy as mon mari was all day, I see no evidence of the gas grill being rolled out of the barn.
Perhaps he is hoping for more than one nice day before he does that.
As for me… Why not just jump in? (See below)
Risotto with Meatballs and Spinach
Total time: 40 minutes
Ingredients:
- 2/3 cup (4.2oz, 125gr) Arborio rice (or other rice specifically for risotto – Carnaroli or Vialone Nano)
- 1/2 cup (4oz, 120ml) dry, white wine
- 2 1/4 cups (18oz, 540ml) beef broth
- 1 large leek, trimmed, cut in half lengthwise then sliced thinly
- 1 tbs olive oil
- 3oz (90gr) fresh spinach, cut into strips
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese – freshly grated (about 2oz, 60gr)
- Meatballs:
- 12oz (360gr) ground beef
- 3 tbs bread crumbs
- 1 egg
- 2 tbs Parmesan
- 1 tbs Dijon-style mustard
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp dried basil
Instructions:
- Meatballs:
- in medium bowl lightly beat the egg with a fork.
- Add remaining ingredients for meatballs, except beef, and mix well.
- Add beef and mix well.
- Form into small meatballs, less than 1″ (2.5cm) in diameter. You should have about 32.
- Put 1 cup (roughly) of broth into a skillet and heat to a simmer.
- Add meatballs, cover and simmer until cooked, 8 – 10 minutes.
- When done, remove from heat and keep meatballs warm. Use poaching broth in risotto
- Risotto:
- Heat remaining beef broth and keep hot over low heat.
- In medium saucepan heat oil over medium heat. Add leek and sauté until transparent.
- Add rice and sauté stirring, for 2 – 3 minutes until rice has white center.
- Add wine and stir.
- When wine is almost absorbed add a 1/3 cup of broth, stir.
- When broth is almost absorbed add another 1/3 cup and continue adding 1/3 cup at a time and stirring.
- Before the last 1/3 cup taste a few kernels of rice. They should be just ‘al dente’ – slightly resistant to the tooth but fully cooked. If more broth is needed add it 1/6 cup at a time and waiting until almost completely absorbed.
- At this point risotto will be thick but not stiff – there will still be visible liquid and it will not hold its shape on a plate
- Add the spinach, Parmesan and stir well
- Once spinach has wilted (1 – 2 minutes) gently stir in meatballs and serve.
Have you ever finished a book then pondered as to whether or not you liked it?
I recently joined a book club and the current book is Wild, by Cheryl Strayed.
Normally when I read a book I either like it and finish it or, as rarely happens, I don’t like it and set it aside.
But, and this is important, normally when I read a book it’s one I have chosen to read.
This isn’t a book I would have chosen (which is obvious as it’s been out for 6 years)
Since it’s a book club choice I will be asked to rend an opinion….
Thus my question / problem.
I can’t decide if I like it.
On the plus side I think it was well written. Her prose flowed and I was able to sufficiently lose myself in the story. I liked reading about the trail, the stops, and all the nature bits.
On the minus side the author / main character was immature, ill-prepared and totally lacking in impulse control which irritated the hell out of me.
Perhaps it needs reflection from a distance of a week or two, which I have before the next club meeting.
I’ve also seen the movie, which I liked (and it only took two hours of my life).
Has anyone else read it? Any opinions?
I can’t do book clubs as I can’t force myself to read books I am not enjoying to the end, life is too short to read bad books
The last book club I was in I really enjoyed because I was introduced to so many great books. The jury is still out on this one lol
I have neither read the book nor have I seen the movie, but I think your critique of the book is perfect for your book club opinion. You are on the fence about liking the book or not, and your reasons are legit!
I still can’t decide – lol
I agree with Gloria. The fact that your opinion is ambivalent does not render it illegitimate. It is what it is. As it happens, I have read the book (I did not see the movie) and I have the same thoughts as you for the same reasons. I enjoyed the challenges described as well as the natural elements, but Cheryl was not a wholly sympathetic character, although I appreciate her willingness to put it all out there and not sugar coat her reality.
actually liked the movie – partly because I like Reese Witherspoon. She didn’t come off as quite so annoying 😉
Love this recipe. I like the use of leeks (I always use onions) and the beef broth (I always use chicken). I am so intrigued by the flavor profile here. the meatballs make it even better. My husband would really love this too.
Also, I thought book clubs were just an excuse to drink wine and no one actually discusses the book. 😀
I like leeks and use them a lot – esp in spring when they are so prolific here. Actually, our book club meets in the afternoon so no wine, just tea (also it’s mainly Brits lol) I’ll have to work on that
I’m with the others. Your opinion of the book is yours and should not have to coincide with anyone else’s. That’s why it’s open for discussion. One opinion isn’t any more off or on than someone else’s. I have not read the book nor seen the movie, not my cup of tea. I imagine there will be those who loved it and those who did not so it should make for a lively discussion. Stick to your opinion!
Also, I cannot read books that hold no interest for me for the sake of a club, something I had a terrible time with all the way through school though I’m a voracious reader. I remember having to read a couple books for class that I hated so much, I’d have rather gouged my eyes out rather than finish them, so I no longer put myself in that position. However, if I’d been able to be honest on my book reports, it would have been marginally better. But it wasn’t.
Fortunately, I’m a good ‘skimmer’ although I haven’t had to resort to that yet. If I really hated it I wouldn’t read it. We have an unofficial ’60 page rule’ – give a solid try but don’t force yourself. I can live with that. Although I was close lol
Although I’ve thought about joining a book club when I preview the books on the list, I just couldn’t get excited about them. I read (at least) a book a week, but I really can’t stand reading a book I don’t like. I put it down and move onto the next one (cuz there’s ALWAYS a next one!)
That being said, your opinion of the book is YOUR opinion. I know of no rules that say everyone as to agree on a book. Express your opinion (and maybe suggest a book or two!)
Our next meeting is this week and it’s one of mine – we shall see. So far we’ve been pretty divided on liking the books. But there doesn’t seem to be much of a consensus on how to choose. Oh well, it’s a new group so we’ll give it time
I had the same problem, I read it a while ago for a Book Club and I found the main character really really irritating but I quite liked the nature bits. I missed the meeting so I don’t know what other people thought! I like my book club, it gets me to read books I would never usually pick up, there seems to be a slight bias towards crime fiction, which I don’t usually read, so I’ve read some really interesting stories.
I like the book club for the same reason – I read books I wouldn’t otherwise. I just found out that one of the women has actually hiked the PCT so I will be anxious to hear her take on the book. Our meeting for that book is in May. I quite liked the movie, though….. 😉