How to Make Meatballs Without a Recipe

(pan sizzles)

Woo!

I'm Anna Stockwell.

I create recipes for a living,

but when I'm at home, I don't actually cook from them.

Cooking is all about mastering basic techniques,

so you can make your own versions of any dish.

No recipe required!

The great thing about meatballs is that

once you master the simple ratio

of ingredients, you can make them with any flavor,

and any kind of meat that you want.

We're making lamb meatballs today.

You don't want too much onion in your meatballs,

it will compromise the structural integrity.

One handful per one pound of ground meat.

I'm gonna add a little bit of garlic for extra flavor.

And now I'm gonna add some breadcrumbs,

just a little handful.

I want them to be nice and spicy,

and sort of Middle Eastern tasting,

so I have a lot of cumin,

and some Aleppo pepper,

and then a lot of salt.

Now I'm gonna add some herbs.

Parsley, and mint, and some dill.

So those are nice and even and small,

stick those in there.

To hold everything together, we need an egg.

You wanna whisk it before you put it in

so that it's more even.

The best tool for mixing up meatballs is your hands.

Just keep mashing and squishing until everything

is nice and evenly distributed.

Before you commit to making and cooking all

of your meatballs, you should probably taste it.

So we're going to do a little taste test.

There we have meatball taste test number one, ready to go.

Okay, so I'm glad I tasted.

Needs more salt,

and I want it spicier so I'm gonna add a little more pepper.

Mix everything up again,

now we're gonna form the balls.

Now we're ready to cook.

If you don't hear a sizzle, your pan's not hot enough.

(meat sizzles)

Don't leave your meatballs alone.

You have to just stay with them.

It's time to eat.

I love just a few meatballs with a big, huge salad,

and a nice sauce.

This is yogurt sauce I made,

it's just yogurt and mint and lemon.

That's just one of the ways I like to make meatballs.

Now, it's your turn.

(upbeat music)

(hums)

Hey!

These meatballs look so great.

I think I'm gonna.

And this, yup.

And this, okay.