September's Recipe and Tip:

 

 

Fray’s Spinach Parmesan Balls

 

There’s controversy within the family as to whether this recipe came from my mother, for whom I’ve named it, or from my mother’s Aunt Mary. You can be sure that when Aunt Mary gets a copy of this book, there’s going to be some phone calls made, and it’s going to be the topic of discussion at the next family gathering. I can tell you, though, that these flavor-packed balls have been a staple at our gatherings and in our catering business for years. So, Aunt Mary (and Mom), you can both takecredit and be proud.

 

 

1-pound package frozen chopped spinach, thawed

5 eggs

1 large onion, minced

10 tablespoons margarine, melted (see note)

1 cup shredded Parmesan

2 garlic cloves, minced

1/2 teaspoon dried thyme

1/2 teaspoon cayenne

1 3/4 cups Italian-style bread crumbs

 

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

 

Squeeze the excess water from the spinach and place it in a large mixing bowl. Add the remaining ingredients and mix well by hand. (Wearing latex gloves while mixing and forming the balls will keep your hands from getting clumped up with spinach mix.) 

 

Form the mixture into 1-inch balls, either by hand or by using a small ice cream scoop. Place the balls closely together on a sheet pan. Bake on the top half of the preheated oven until firm to the touch, 20 to 25 minutes. Let the spinach balls cool for 5 minutes, then remove them from the pan with a spatula and serve immediately.

 

Yield: 30–40 pieces

Preparation Time: 20 minutes

Cooking Time: 25 minutes

*The baked spinach balls can be frozen for up to 1 week. To serve from frozen, place in a 350-degree oven for 20–25 minutes.

 

Cook’s note: Make sure to use margarine. We tried making these with butter once but the fat in the butter tends to leach out of the spinach balls when baking, leaving them dry, whereas the margarine combines well with the ingredients and keeps them moist.

 

 

Caffeine Rush

I hate to leave the action at the dinner table because I live in fear of missing out on something. I’m told it’s because I’m a Gemini, but I think it’s because my friends critique my clothes and hair as soon as I leave the room. So, I quickly clear the dishes and get back in there ASAP.

             

A simple trick that has boosted my speed is to include the coffee service in my prep work. While I set the table or finish chopping vegetables, I grind coffee beans and put them into the filter, fill the coffee maker with water, prefill the creamer, top off the sugar bowl, and preplate a few packets of sweetener. This way, all I have to do is pile the used dishes in the sink, hit “brew,” and rush back to the table while my reputation is still intact.