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Trey’s Recipe: Meatballs Over Creamy Polenta

meatballs with polenta

Trey’s Recipe: Meatballs Over Creamy Polenta

creamy polenta with meatballs

meatballs with polenta

meatballs with polenta

We had our first snow in Nashville the other day and while the fireplace was crackling and we were warm inside we decided to make a super “cozy meal.” Trey came up with this meatballs over creamy polenta and we topped it with pesto and mozzarella. It was absolutely delicious and looked super festive!

I love cooking in our Mackenzie-Childs cookware because they can go straight from stovetop to dining table. They are as functional as they are beautiful. For this we used the Courtly Check 3qt. Pan.

Trey’s Creamy Polenta With Meatballs

Creamy Polenta

Ingredients:

4 tablespoons salted butter

1 tablespoon fresh oregano, minced

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 medium yellow onion, thinly sliced

4 cups chicken stock

2 cups coarse-ground cornmeal

1 cup heavy cream

1 cup ricotta

1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

Directions:

Heat the butter on medium-high heat. Add the oregano, garlic and onions. Cook until softened and fragrant, about 5 minutes. Pour in the chicken stock along with 1 cup of water and bring to a boil. Add the cornmeal while whisking and avoid it clumping up. Cook, stirring frequently, until thick, (about 20 minutes)  Stir in the cream, ricotta and Parmesan. Season with salt and pepper. Cover and set aside off the heat.

Meatballs

Ingredients:

2 tablespoons olive oil

2 pounds 80% lean ground beef

1 cup ricotta cheese

2 large eggs

1 cup breadcrumbs

1/4 cup chopped parsley

2 teaspoons kosher salt

1 teaspoon dried oregano

1/2 teaspoon ground fennel seed

1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes

Directions:

Heat the oven to 450℉.  Drizzle the oil into a 9 x 13″ baking dish and rub to coat the entire surface.
Combine the ground beef, ricotta, eggs, bread crumbs, parsley, oregano, salt, red pepper flakes, and fennel in a large bowl and mix with your hands until everything is entirely incorporated.
Roll the mixture into round 1 1/2 – 2″ round, golf-ball sized meatballs (a #24 cookie scoop works perfectly for measuring this amount if you happen to have one handy).  Place the balls in the prepared baking dish, being careful to line them up snugly and in even rows to form a grid.  The meatballs should be touching one another.
Roast for 20 minutes, or until the meatballs are firm and cooked through.  When they are fully cooked remove them from the oven and drain any excess grease from the dish.

Mix meatballs in with your favorite marinara sauce and put back in over for 15 minutes.

Add meatballs over the polenta. Top meatball/polenta combo with a bit of pesto, fresh mozzarella and fresh basil. Cook on low until mozzarella has melted, serve! Enjoy.

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How To Make Your Thanksgiving Feel Special With MacKenzie-Childs

How To Make Your Thanksgiving Feel Special With MacKenzie-Childs

mackenzie-childs

Whew, 2020 has really put some perspective on this upcoming holiday season. I’m even more grateful for friends, family and our health. While we might not be celebrating in large groups, we can still make an intimate fall or Thanksgiving dinner feel special.

Ya’ll have heard me brag on MacKenzie-Childs before, but after doing a retreat with them a few months ago, my love and appreciation of their brand has grown even more. They are all about the joy and memories that their pieces provoke more than the pieces themselves.

The time and love that goes into each piece is next level. On average, a single piece is touched by the hands of up to 11 different artisans and takes up to two weeks to make. You can feel the specialness and they are the types of pieces that are passed down from generation to generation.

I set this beautiful fall tablescape using the dinner plates, salad plates and bowls from the Sweetbriar Collection. These can be mixed and matched for any different occasion. I added in flatware, wine glasses and serving pieces from the Courtly Check collection. These are all versatile pieces that can go with anything. I have mixed and matched them with lots of different options and they just work with everything!

TIPS FOR MAKING YOUR HOLIDAY SPECIAL THIS YEAR:

**While speaking with Rebecca, a lifestyle guru and designer behind MacKenzie-Childs, she gave us some advice on taking your hosting skills to the next level. I wanted to pass some of her wisdom on to you.**

It’s all in the ambiance. Light some candles. Dim your overhead light if possible.

Music! It makes the biggest difference. Some light music, so conversations can still be heard, is perfect.

3. Florals. Even just a few from the grocery store will elevate your table. Don’t be afraid to show them in unconventional ways. The Courtly Check Pitcher makes a wonderful vase!

4. A speciality drink. You can find my recipe for Apple Pie Sangria HERE.

5. Make the space feel cozy. I’ve added in throw blankets on the back of our chairs to help guests feel the coziness.