Debbie's Really Good Meatballs

I have been on the hunt for a good meatball recipe and a friend of mine came up with this one.  It's the best recipe I've found so far!!  

Deb's "Really Good" Meatballs


1 lb. meatloaf mix (beef, pork, veal)
1 lb. ground turkey
3/4 cup seasoned Italian bread crumbs (I use 4C unsalted)
3/4 cup grated Locatelli romano cheese (the powdery kind)
1 tablespoon dried parsley
1/2 cup or so warm water (this softens the bread crumbs)
1 extra large egg
(optional: 1/2 to 1 tsp. crushed garlic)

Mix with hands until thoroughly blended. It will be quite soft.

Form into balls and place on a rimmed baking sheet that has been sprayed with oil.

Bake at 375 degrees* until browned, but not necessarily cooked through. These don't do well pan-fried. They fall apart. (*One of my notes says 450 degrees or broil, so you choose!)

Continue cooking in a pot of sauce until done.

Shrimp Scampi

OK - This is beyond easy and as long as I have lemon juice in the house, I usually have the ingredients on hand.  I mention the lemon juice because apparently I tossed my bottle that I had in the fridge after Superstorm Sandy and I had to run my hubby out to the store to pick up some more.  That's something I ALWAYS have here.  LOL  I got the recipe from our newspaper, Newsday, years ago and I usually triple it just because we're a big family who loves this stuff.

Shrimp Scampi

3 Tbsp. olive oil
4 Tbsp. butter
3 Tbsp. white wine
1 tsp. dried parsley
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 tsp. fresh lemon juice
1 lb. cleaned shrimp

Place oil, butter, wine, parsley, garlic and lemon juice in a large frying pan and cook over medium heat, stirring often for 1-2 minutes.  Add shrimp and cook through until pink, about 3 minutes.  Serve over cooked pasta.