Argentine Chimichurri Meatballs

Submitted by SarasotaCook

"Well a couple of years ago, I got to go to Argentina skiing with a good friend - and what a blast. On thing I did learn, is that if you don't like beef, potatoes or chimichurri ... good luck. It seemed like those 3 ingredients were a part of every meal, but luckily I do like all three. One night, we had this amazing grilled fish and of course potatoes ... but the appetizers were these simple miniature meatballs with ... of course ... chimichurri. Well, I am not sure what their recipe was, but the chef was nice enough to tell me that his secret was to add ground pork and a little of the chimichurri to the meatball. Also, theirs was topped with this great tangy cheese. I never got the name of it, but it is similar to a feta being a drier, crumbly cheese, but the taste of a goat cheese, so I think either one works well. I tend to use Feta. Well, I ended up using a pretty classic meatball recipe and this is my version. I make smaller than normal meatballs and just serve with tooth pics on a big platter with the sauce. They are just Yummy Bite Size appetizers. A great holiday appetizer and easy to make. I bake mine, so even healthier. Make ahead and just reheat. I also buy Badia Chimichurri sauce, right from the grocery store. You can also find it at www.badia.com, but there are many other brands that are available."

 

• Ready In: 40mins
• Ingredients: 14
• Yields: 4 Dozen
• Serves: 12-20

ingredients

• 1 1⁄2 cups chimichurri sauce (use more of less according to your taste, a little goes a long way, I just buy mine at the store, th)
• 1 cup feta cheese

• Meatballs

• 3⁄4 lb ground beef (I like chuck)
• 3⁄4 ground pork
• 1 slice bread
• 1⁄4 cup milk
• 1 egg
• 2 tablespoons chimichurri sauce (drain, so you don't add too much of the oil)
• 2 scallions (chopped fine, white and green parts)
• 2 teaspoons minced garlic
• pepper

• Garnish

• sliced baguette
• lemon slice
• black olives

directions

1. Meatballs -- Soak the bread in the milk and then squeeze. Just break up the bread and then add the chimichurri, garlic, pepper, scallions, egg and mix well. Then add in the beef and pork and mix until combined. Don't over mix the meat as it will make tough meatballs.
2. I form them into smaller than normal meatballs and then I freeze them 20-30 minutes. They firm up and make them easy to cook. Not necessary, but I just like to do it so they hold their shape.
3. Bake -- 425 degrees on a cookie or baking sheet lined with parchment paper. 20-30 minutes until golden brown. If you want you can always pan fry them in a little olive oil as well.
4. Serve -- In a large dish, add a little chimichurri to the bottom, then add the meatballs, then a little chimichurri over the top and sprinkle with the cheese.
5. In Argentina, whole black olives, sliced lemons and baguette slices were the garnish. I still like to serve it like that when I make this as well.