Gluten Free Italian Meatballs

Have you heard about Pink Slime lately?  If you haven’t you can read up on it on Wikipedia or do a simple google search.  Even with the allegations against ground beef I never stopped eating it.  I wasn’t entirely surprised to hear about Pink Slime.  I’ve worked in the food manufacturing industry for over 6 years.   People take it for granted that the label on the package is exactly what they are buying.  That always makes me laugh.  For example, the blueberries in baked goods that come from a food manufacturer, get this, it’s shocking, is not blueberries.  It is flour made to simulate the look and flavour of blueberries because real blueberries would turn the entire baked good blue!

 

Ground meat that contains lean finely textured beef (LFTB or aka Pink Slime) that is used as filler in my ground beef is a result of efficient food manufacturing processes.  I recently spoke to a friend who owns a meat manufacturing facility and he pointed out to me that if LFTB was 100% eliminated from ground beef that it would cause the price of ground beef to sky rocket.  Secondly, it would be an unsustainable practice because to produce the same amount of ground beef 1.5 million more cows would need to slaughtered.

 

 

Here is a delightful recipe I found.  I made this twice and I love them.  I enjoy snacking on them for breakfast.

 

 

Adapted from Gordan Ramsey’s Meatballs in TomatoSauce Recipe

 

·         500g (1lb 2oz) good quality ground beef  *I used extra lean ground beef, but the first time I made these I used medium ground beef.   I suggest the latter, moister.

·         1 onion, peeled and very finely chopped *I used ½ an onion

·         1 garlic clove, peeled and finely chopped

·         1 tbsp of coconut flour in place of breadcrumbs

·         1 large egg, lightly beaten

 

 

1.      To make the meatballs, mix the ground beef, onion, garlic, coconut flour, and chopped parsley together in a bowl until combined.

 

 

2.      Season well and add the beaten egg to bind, mixing with your hands.

3.      Shape a small piece of the mixture into a ball and bake at 400 degrees for 20 minutes or fry in an oiled pan until cooked.

 

 

4.      Makes about 33 small meatballs.