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Cheesy tree with meatball ornaments
Impress your guests with this trendy holiday-themed appetizer.
Ingredients
Tomato Sauce
- 3 litres of canned tomatoes
- 1/2 Spanish onion, finely chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, finely chopped
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 4 tablespoons canola oil
Meatballs
- 1.5 pounds ground beef
- 1/5 pounds ground pork
- 2 eggs
- 1/4 cup fresh basil, finely chopped
- 1 cup parmesan cheese (divide into 1/4 and 3/4 cups)
- 2 tablespoons Calabrian chili oil
- 5 sliices white bread, crust removed
- 1/2 cup milk
- 2 tablespoons garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon salt
- 1/2 cup oil, for frying
Cheesy Tree
- Mozzarella, cut into cubes
- Pizza crust dough
- 1 egg
- 1/4 cup butter
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Italian seasoning
- Parmesan cheese, for garnish
Directions
Tomato Sauce
- In a large pan, heat the canola oil on medium heat, and then add your garlic and onions. Stir them constantly- don’t let them sit or they will burn. Once the onions start to go translucent pour some of the liquid (tomato water) from your canned tomatoes into the pan - the onions and garlic will immediately absorb the tomato water, keep stirring, then add your butter and salt and continue to stir.
- Add the remaining canned tomatoes and liquid and reduce to low heat. Add one litre of water and allow to simmer.
Meatballs
- In one bowl, add milk and eggs to the bread. Use your hands to work the bread so it becomes a paste. Incorporate the bread mixture into the bowl with meat and mix it thoroughly with salt, Calabrian oil, basil, parm, salt and garlic powder.
- Once fully mixed form into small balls, using a teaspoon measure if needed.
- Once all your balls have been fully formed, preheat your oil in a pan and sear the meatballs well on both sides. Once all the meatballs have been seared carefully transfer them to the simmering sauce and let them cook in the sauce on low heat for one to two hours.
Cheesy Tree
- Preheat oven to 350° F.
- Chop cheese into one-inch pieces. Cut the pizza crust into two-inch squares. Place the piece of cheese in the centre and roll the dough into a ball around it. On a parchment-lined baking sheet, assemble the balls into the shape of a Christmas tree. Brush with egg wash and bake in the oven for 10 to 15 minutes, or until golden brown on the outside and cooked in the centre.
- In a small pan, melt one quarter cup of butter and mix with fresh chopped garlic to make a garlic butter glaze. Once the cheese bread is ready, brush with the garlic butter, and season with Italian seasoning and parmesan cheese. Place your mini meatballs on the tree to look like ornaments and serve with extra sauce for dipping. Enjoy!
