Amazing Appetizer: Mini Meatball Cups
By
Andy Anderson !
@ThePretentiousWichitaChef
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
- 1 sheet(s)
- puff pastry sheet, thawed
- 12 small
- fully cooked meatballs, completely frozen (your favorite recipe)
- 1/2 c
- marinara sauce, smooth, not chunky (your favorite recipe)
- fresh mozzarella cheese, shredded, for topping
PLAN/PURCHASE
How to Make Amazing Appetizer: Mini Meatball Cups
- 1PREP/PREPARE
- 2Gather your ingredients.
- 3Chef’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).
- 4Place the defrosted puff pastry sheet on a clean surface, dusted with a bit of flour.
- 5Cut the dough, into 2-inch (4cm) squares.
- 6Chef’s Tip: The size of your pastry squares will vary a bit, depending on the type of mini muffin pan you are using.
- 7Chef'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.
- 8Lightly oil the muffin pan.
- 9Place a rack in the middle position, and preheat the oven to 400f (205c).
- 10Chef’s Note: 400f (205c) is the standard temperature for working with puff pastry.
- 11Add the dough to cups of the mini pan.
- 12Place one of the frozen meatballs into each one of the cups.
- 13Chef’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. - 14Bake in the preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the meatballs are heated through, and the pastry is crispy and golden.
- 15Remove from the oven, add 1/2 teaspoon of the marinara sauce to the top of each meatball cup.
- 16Chef's Tip: If the weather is really cold, add a bit of cayenne to the marinara sauce.
- 17Sprinkle with some mozzarella cheese.
- 18Return to the oven for 3 to 5 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly.
- 19PLATE/PRESENT
- 20Serve while still warm, on a nice serving platter. Enjoy.
- 21Keep the faith, and keep cooking.
