Italian wine balls, also known as "polpette al vino", are a delicious and easy-to-make appetizer that will be the star of any party or gathering. This recipe adds a unique twist to the traditional meatball by incorporating wine into the mixture, giving it a rich and flavorful taste. The glaze adds a touch of sweetness and a glossy finish, making these wine balls irresistible to both wine lovers and non-drinkers alike.
Ingredients:
For the wine balls:
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup red wine
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- Olive oil for frying
For the glaze:
- 1/4 cup red wine
- 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Instructions:
- In a large bowl, mix together the ground beef, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, red wine, egg, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, salt, and black pepper until well combined.
- Using your hands, form the mixture into small balls, about 1 inch in diameter.
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the wine balls and cook for about 5 minutes, turning occasionally, until browned on all sides.
- While the wine balls are cooking, prepare the glaze. In a small saucepan, combine the red wine, balsamic vinegar, brown sugar, minced garlic, red pepper flakes, and salt. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and let simmer for about 10 minutes, until the glaze has thickened.
- Once the wine balls are cooked, remove them from the skillet and place them on a plate lined with paper towels to absorb any excess oil.
- Using a pastry brush, coat the wine balls with the glaze, making sure to cover them evenly.
- Serve the wine balls hot, with toothpicks for easy snacking, and enjoy!
Why You Should Try These Italian Wine Balls:
Adding wine to the meatballs gives them a unique and delicious flavor that will have your guests asking for the recipe. The glaze adds a perfect balance of sweetness and tanginess, making these wine balls a crowd-pleasing appetizer. Plus, they are easy to make and can be prepared in advance, making them a great option for any party or gathering.
Tips for Success:
- Choose a good quality red wine for both the meatballs and the glaze. Wine with a higher alcohol content will add more flavor to the dish.
- Don't overmix the meatball mixture, as it can make the meatballs tough. Mix just until all the ingredients are well combined.
- Make sure to brown the meatballs on all sides before adding the glaze.
- For a healthier option, you can bake the wine balls in the oven instead of frying them. Bake at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for about 15 minutes, then add the glaze and bake for an additional 5 minutes.
In conclusion, these Italian wine balls are a fun and delicious twist on traditional meatballs, perfect for any occasion. The addition of wine adds a unique flavor and the glaze gives them a beautiful finish. Try them out at your next party and watch them disappear in no time!
HTML CODE:
<h2>Ingredients:</h2>
<h3>For the wine balls:</h3>
<ul>
<li>1 pound ground beef</li>
<li>1/2 cup breadcrumbs</li>
<li>1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese</li>
<li><b>1/4 cup red wine</b></li>
<li>1 egg</li>
<li>1 teaspoon garlic powder</li>
<li>1 teaspoon onion powder</li>
<li>1 teaspoon dried oregano</li>
<li>1/2 teaspoon salt</li>
<li>1/4 teaspoon black pepper</li>
<li>Olive oil for frying</li>
</ul>
<h3>For the glaze:</h3>
<ul>
<li><b>1/4 cup red wine</b></li>
<li>1/4 cup balsamic vinegar</li>
<li>1/4 cup brown sugar</li>
<li>1 clove garlic, minced</li>
<li>1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes</li>
<li>1/4 teaspoon salt</li>
</ul>
<h2>Instructions:</h2>
<ol>
<li>In a large bowl, mix together the ground beef, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, <b>red wine</b>, egg, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, salt, and black pepper until well combined.</li>
<li>Using your hands, form the mixture into small balls, about 1 inch in diameter.</li>
<li>In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the wine balls and cook for about 5 minutes, turning occasionally, until browned on all sides.</li>
<li>While the wine balls are cooking, prepare the glaze. In a small saucepan, combine the <b>red wine</b>, balsamic vinegar, brown sugar, minced garlic, red pepper flakes, and salt. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and let simmer for about 10 minutes, until the glaze has thickened.</li>
<li>Once the wine balls are cooked, remove them from the skillet and place them on a plate lined with paper towels to absorb any excess oil.</li>
<li>Using a pastry brush, coat the wine balls with the glaze, making sure to cover them evenly.</li>
<li>Serve the wine balls hot, with toothpicks for easy snacking, and enjoy!</li>
</ol>
<h2>Why You Should Try These Italian Wine Balls:</h2>
<p>Adding <b>wine</b> to the meatballs gives them a unique and delicious flavor that will have your guests asking for the recipe. The glaze adds a perfect balance of sweetness and tanginess, making these wine balls a crowd-pleasing appetizer. Plus, they are easy to make and can be prepared in advance, making them a great option for any party or gathering.</p>
<h2>Tips for Success:</h2>
<ul>
<li>Choose a good quality <b>red wine</b> for both the meatballs and the glaze. Wine with a higher alcohol content will add more flavor to the dish.</li>
<li>Don't overmix the meatball mixture, as it can make the meatballs tough. Mix just until all the ingredients are well combined.</li>
<li>Make sure to brown the meatballs on all sides before adding the glaze.</li>
<li>For a healthier option, you can bake the wine balls in the oven instead of frying them. Bake at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for about 15 minutes, then add the glaze and bake for an additional 5 minutes.</li>
</ul>
<p>In conclusion, these Italian wine balls are a fun and delicious twist on traditional meatballs, perfect for any occasion. The addition of <b>wine</b> adds a unique flavor and the glaze gives them a beautiful finish. Try them out at your next party and watch them disappear in no time!</p>
