Time to go to bed? Nope. Time to try something new in the kitchen. Armed with the determination to make a healthy midnight snack, I opened the refrigerator door to find exactly what I needed. Laura’s natural 92% fat free free range beef patties. There were three left. Yes! I grabbed the package and closed the fridge door. I opened the pantry and took out the pepper grinder, Kosher salt, minced onion, garlic powder, paprika, rosemary and oatmeal. Oatmeal? Yes, oatmeal. I blended the herb and spices with the meat and after I scrubbed my hands and nails, I mixed these ingredients into the meat until it was distributed. I did not add the paprika. That was for later.
Time to turn three patties into six big meatballs. Sometimes you just have to make them. I poured olive oil into my pan which I had heated and reduced the heat to medium. I added the six meatballs to the skillet and listened to them sizzle. I always listen to the sounds my food makes as it is cooking. It tells me when to turn it. I added a little more olive oil by drizzling it over top the meat. In the meantime, I took a small onion, peeled it and sliced it into thin portions. After I turned over the meatballs I then added more olive oil and the dried rosemary leaves. The smell was so intensified by these tiny aromatic leaves that I had to inhale the earthy and romantic scent. I waited until the meatballs were ready to turn on their sides, before adding the rings of raw onion. Two minutes later, I removed the meatballs and set them aside. I sprinkled more salt and then the paprika, to give the onions color and an interesting smokiness. I sauteed them and then returned the meatballs to the skillet, spooning the onions over top. I reduced the heat to low.
I washed and pulled apart iceberg lettuce and patted the leaves dry. Next I spread the lettuce onto the dinner plate and placed the meatballs on top. The onions went on next and I got the
Ricotta cheese from the refrigerator and crumbled some smooth creamy cheese all over the hot food. This was great! Jazz music played low, the kitchen was aglow with the stovetop light and I felt excited about my Midnight Meatball Madness.
No bread? Right. You eat with your fingers. Taking a nice portion of lettuce, the meatball, cheese and onion is wrapped inside. Now you might want to use a knife and fork, but where is the adventure in that I ask? Pick it up. Take a bite and let the juicy goodness permeate your mouth and brain. This is um mm good eating and it is actually healthy for you. Twenty minutes was worth it. Being that is is Saint Patrick’s Day, I feel like the little people made me do it.
Oh, I almost forgot to mention that I have absolutely found the best ever potato chips. This is the third bag in only a week. My husband likes them too. Salt and Pepper on a chip. Fabulous!