Meatballs

From checklist:

OUTLINE OF CONTENTS

Meatballs, an Introduction.

The Meat. Meatballs start at the farm. Meet the beef producer, and the beef; the pig farmer and the pork; the chicken farmer and the chicken, etc; one producer for each protein, to give context to the type of meat and where it comes from; and discuss sustainability and organic.

Look at the different meat cuts, the role of fat, the eating qualities of each cut. Lamb: Flinders Island. Beef: Victorian grass fed. Pork: Byron Bay. Chicken. Hunter Valley Veal: White Rocks Wagyu: Blackmore Venison, Duck, Wild boar, Rabbit, Fish, Seafood, Vegetable.

The Butcher: a meatballer s best friend After the farm comes the all-important butcher. Here we look at the role of the butcher; what to look for when you go; the seasoning; how the different mince/grinds give different textures; keeping a cool temperature; how to combine different meats for different effects; the role of cured meats in meatballs, eg mortadella; marrow; the secret ingredient; shelf life, freezing and reheating.

Tools of the trade The Mincer. Boning knife. Cleaver. Scales. Chopping board. Pan. Your own hands.

Cooking techniques How to poach, steam, bake, steam/bake, shallow fry, deep fry, grill, sear/poach, boil. Also BBQ - explain what grilling does to the protein and why this method would be used for a particular meat/recipe.

RECIPES Choose a type of meatball and a sauce, then choose a side.

MEATBALL RECIPES 60 recipes (eg chicken, pistachio, muscatels and parmesan meatballs)

RELISHES & SAUCES 20 sauces (eg Green pesto salsa verde)

SIDES & SALADS 20 sides (eg Orange and fennel salad with honey walnuts)

EXTRAS Garnishes: cheese, chilli, oils, different salts, herbs, zest, nuts for crunch. Also discuss aromatics, the role of wine.

Balls & All How to put meatballs together in different ways for different occasions. Sliders. Mini balls. Balls in balls. Meatball salads. Meatball soups. Vegetarian options. Mixing cuisines (ie Italian with Japanese / Vietnamese with Mexican). Soft-centred, crumbed, cold.

Chef s Balls Guest chef recipes from chefs around Australia and the world, eg Neil Perry

Meatballs of the world. A meatball glossary that will take you around the globe and back eg frikkadellers, tsukune.