Amazing Appetizer: Mini Meatball Cups
By
Andy Anderson !
@ThePretentiousChef
12
These are similar to an appetizer we served at Diamond Jim’s in Chicago… many years ago.
I usually make my own puff pastry; however, for the recipe some good store-bought puff pastry will do just fine.
So, you ready… Let’s get into the kitchen.
I usually make my own puff pastry; however, for the recipe some good store-bought puff pastry will do just fine.
So, you ready… Let’s get into the kitchen.
Ingredients
-
PLAN/PURCHASE
-
1 sheet(s)puff pastry sheet, thawed
-
12 smallfully cooked meatballs, completely frozen (your favorite recipe)
-
1/2 cmarinara sauce, smooth, not chunky (your favorite recipe)
-
·fresh mozzarella cheese, shredded, for topping
How to Make Amazing Appetizer: Mini Meatball Cups
- PREP/PREPARE
- Gather your ingredients.
- Chef’s Tip: The meatballs should be small, only about 1-inch (2.5cm) in diameter, fully cooked and completely frozen (more on freezing the meatballs later).
- Place the defrosted puff pastry sheet on a clean surface, dusted with a bit of flour.
- Cut the dough, into 2-inch (4cm) squares.
- Chef’s Tip: The size of your pastry squares will vary a bit, depending on the type of mini muffin pan you are using.
- Chef's Tip: If you have some puff pastry scraps, just brush them with butter, sprinkle with some sugar and cinnamon, and then pop into the oven... YUM.
- Lightly oil the muffin pan.
- Place a rack in the middle position, and preheat the oven to 400f (205c).
- Chef’s Note: 400f (205c) is the standard temperature for working with puff pastry.
- Add the dough to cups of the mini pan.
- Place one of the frozen meatballs into each one of the cups.
- Chef’s Note: Why cook your meatballs, and then freeze them?
Well, I tried doing the meatballs three ways:
1. Precooked, but not frozen… Meatballs come out overcooked and dry.
2. Raw, frozen or unfrozen… Meatballs never cook completely through.
3. Precooked, and frozen… Meatballs come out hot and juicy. - Bake in the preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the meatballs are heated through, and the pastry is crispy and golden.
- Remove from the oven, add 1/2 teaspoon of the marinara sauce to the top of each meatball cup.
- Chef's Tip: If the weather is really cold, add a bit of cayenne to the marinara sauce.
- Sprinkle with some mozzarella cheese.
- Return to the oven for 3 to 5 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly.
- PLATE/PRESENT
- Serve while still warm, on a nice serving platter. Enjoy.
- Keep the faith, and keep cooking.
