It was Oprah's lunch of choice every day this summer—three turkey meatballs from Trattoria Mollie! What makes these meatballs so tasty? A sprinkling of raisins!
Servings: Yields 18 meatballs
Ingredients
  • 1 pound hot Italian turkey sausage
  • 2 ounces fresh breadcrumbs , plus 10 ounces to coat meatballs
  • 1 whole egg , plus 4 more for egg wash
  • 2 ounces Parmesan cheese , plus extra for garnish
  • 2 tablespoons fresh chopped Italian parsley
  • 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper
  • Pinch salt and pepper
  • 2 tablespoons whipping cream
  • 3 ounces black raisins
  • 4 ounces white flour
  • 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
  • 2 cloves chopped garlic
  • 12 tablespoons chopped shallot
  • 1 tablespoon brandy
  • 4 cups fresh tomato sauce
  • 1 tablespoon fresh chopped oregano
  • Directions
    Heat oil to 400 degrees F in deep fryer or large, heavy pot suitable for deep frying.

    Preheat oven to 375 degrees F

    In a large bowl combine sausage, 2 ounces breadcrumbs, 1 egg, 2 ounces Parmesan cheese, 1 tablespoon Italian parsley, crushed red pepper and a pinch of salt and pepper. Mix together briefly to distribute seasonings. Add raisins and mix them in. Shape into 2.5-ounce meatballs and set aside.

    Put flour in shallow bowl. In another bowl, beat four eggs. In a third bowl, put 10 ounces of fresh breadcrumbs.

    Lightly coat meatballs in flour, dip in egg wash and roll in breadcrumbs coating meatballs evenly.

    Using slotted spoon, cook batches of meatballs in deep fryer until golden. Remove from oil and drain on paper-lined plate.

    Put olive oil in large frying pan on medium high heat. Add chopped garlic and shallots, cooking until golden. Stir in a pinch of red pepper and add brandy. Put tomato sauce into pan and transfer meatballs, covering them with sauce.

    Put pan into preheated oven for 20 minutes, until meatballs are cooked. When finished, take out and garnish with 1 tablespoon Italian parsley, oregano and Parmesan cheese.

    Serve alone or with pasta.

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