1/4 cup garlic, finely minced
1/2 cup parsley, minced
1 5 lb. package ground beef or chuck
1 1/4 cups freshly grated Parmesan cheese
3 cups bread crumbs
5 eggs
salt and pepper (not much - the cheese is salty)
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1/2 teaspoon each oregano and basil flakes

Chop together garlic and parsley (a cleaver works well).

Put ground beef in large mixing bowl. Add garlic and parsley. Then add egg, cheese, spices and breads crumbs. Remove jewelry and combine well, but mix lightly with "just washed" hands. Don't overmix or compress the mixture.

Take mixture and make into balls (don't press too tightly or the meatballs will be tough). Fry in 1/2 inch of good olive oil.

Optional: Add to boiling spaghetti sauce and simmer until ready to serve.

Editor's Note: You can use chunks of Italian bread soaked in milk and squeezed dry as a substitute for the bread crumbs. Add whole cloves of garlic to the olive oil; mash them in with a fork as they roast. Add two bay leaves to the frying oil.

Submitted by: Marisa