1st Attempt at Homemade Meatballs

                 I have never made meatballs before, so this was a challenge. I know, very simple to make, yet intimidating due to it's "grandma makes the best" connotation. Seems like a specialty left to Italian grandmothers.  Well, this Irish-German girl took a stab at making them. I used a meatloaf mix (ground veal, pork and beef) and 85% hamburger meat. I mixed in 1 egg, finely chopped mushrooms, green peppers, onion and garlic. I added breadcrumbs, crushed red pepper flakes, s&p, basil, bayou seasoning, season salt and black pepper.I formed them into 3 inch balls and baked on a cookie sheet for about 40 minutes at 350 degrees. I served them with red pasta sauce over thin spaghetti. 

                 They were very tasty, but I think there were a few things I could have done better. Next time I will add fresh bread crumbs soaked in milk. I will also put the meat through a fine shredder. I will then, after baking, let them cook in sauce for an additional 30 minutes. My meatballs, on 1st attempt, were good, and very tasty, but reminiscent of a gourmet burger. They were lacking the moist, dense consistency associated with a meatball. I will try again, but this was a very good 1st attempt.