DOUBLE ZERO’S MEATBALLS AND VODKA SAUCE

½ bunch parsley, finely chopped

½ cup panko

1 egg

1 egg yolk

2 tablespoons garlic powder

1 teaspoon pepper

1 teaspoon salt

2 pounds ground beef

1 pound ground pork

Vodka Sauce (see recipe)

Grated Parmesan or pecorino, for garnish

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

In a large bowl, stir together parsley, panko, egg, egg yolk, garlic powder, pepper and salt. When well mixed, add ground beef and ground pork and lightly combine with parsley mixture. Form mixture into 20 meatballs and arrange on prepared baking sheet.

Bake 15 to 20 minutes, until meatballs are cooked through. Serve meatballs over Vodka Sauce and garnish with Parmesan or pecorino.

Makes 20 meatballs.

Per meatball, without sauce: 146 calories (percent of calories from fat, 52), 14 grams protein, 3 grams carbohydrates, trace fiber, 8 grams total fat (3 grams saturated), 63 milligrams cholesterol, 186 milligrams sodium.

VODKA SAUCE

2 tablespoons vegetable oil

1 shallot, minced

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 teaspoon red pepper flakes

2 tablespoons tomato paste

1 cup vodka

1 (28-ounce) can San Marzano whole tomatoes 1 cup heavy cream

Salt and pepper

In a large skillet over medium-low heat, warm oil and add shallot, garlic and red pepper flakes. Saute, stirring frequently, until shallot is translucent, about 5 minutes. Add tomato paste and stir to combine well. Carefully stir in vodka, which may start to flame. Simmer mixture until sauce reduces to about half the volume, about 10 minutes. Add tomatoes and return mixture to a simmer. Add cream and simmer sauce 10 minutes.

Remove from heat and use an immersion blender to puree sauce, or let sauce cool slightly and puree in the jar of a blender. Taste and adjust seasoning.

Makes 5 cups.

Per ¼-cup serving: 70 calories (percent of calories from fat, 76), 1 gram protein, 3 grams carbohydrates, trace fiber, 6 grams total fat (3 grams saturated), 13 milligrams cholesterol, 92 milligrams sodium.

From the menu of ... Double Zero, 1577 N. Decatur Road, Atlanta; 404-991-3666, doublezeroatl.com.

COURTESY OF HEIDI HARRIS Double Zero’s Meatballs and Vodka Sauce