Nibbles of Tidbits, a Food Blog

The Best Meatballs in the World are Anna and Frankie’s Meatballs at Rao’s — I have Rao’s Cookbook and make ’em all the time.  No other Italian Meatball recipe will be necessary.  Rao’s all the way!  Also, instead of frying Meatballs, I always bake them, which is easier and they still turn out fantastic.  Pictured is Moroccan Kefta prepared for a food competition last year.

Rao’s was on Top Chef tonight — As previously reported, we LOVE their Meatballs and will (most likely) never make another.  The above photo is hanging on the wall at Rao’s Caesars Palace.  When we visited, we met Bubbles who you might see there.  If so, please say hello.

Wish I was at this table — Learn more about Rao’s here.

When I first heard the title of this movie, Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs, I thought how adorable.  And since it somewhat relates to food, I can mention it here.  I haven’t yet seen the movie, but have the BEST Meatball recipe to make before watching it on Netflix DVD someday.  They report that you’ve never seen a shower meatier than this, but the weather here in Southern California is still sunny, with currently no chance of Meatballs unless you make ’em yourself.

It takes months to get a reservation at Rao’s in Upper Manhattan New York.  The hundred year old restaurant hardly has more than ten tables in a corner of East Harlem.  I’ve read “the dishes are magical” and since I’m in California, I bought Rao’s Cookbook.   It’s my way in.  I’d love to eat in the restaurant someday, but until then I THANK Anna and Frankie for the BEST Meatball Recipe ever.  I need no other.

I make the exact recipe and my own Breadcrumbs, but I bake the Meatballs instead of fry them.  It’s a lot easier and turns out great.  I bake them in a preheated 400° oven for about 25-30 minutes, and then add ’em to simmering Marinara Sauce as noted in No. 4 of Rao’s Recipe below.

I’ve included a link to their Cookbook and posted “Anna and Frankie’s Meatballs” Recipe HERE — They’re only served on Wednesdays at the restaurant.  They really are tasty and I can now eat them all week long in California.  I’ll also freeze the Meatballs individually and reheat a few in Sauce whenever they sound good.  It’s an easy way to be reminded of their authentic Italian flavor and be transported to happiness.

Rao’s Cookbook Link:

http://02cb90c.netsolstores.com/cookbooksandcds.aspx

Easy Read Recipe Link: http://therecipereader.com/meatballs-raos.htm

Though you can’t see the Meatballs in this photo (above), it’s a Meatball Sandwich from Two Saucy Broads in Fullerton.  They’re reported to make some of the best Meatballs around, says Yelp.  Since I’m in the process of moving to Fullerton and was nearby, I gave them/it a try.

The Sandwich is called Mom’s Meatball Parmesan — It’s different than the average Meatball Sandwich in that it’s baked in Pizza Dough, similar to a Calzone, but they don’t call it that.

Also pictured are two Pepperoni Pinwheels with a side of Marinara Sauce.

Both were very good and I love the name… Two Saucy Broads (one is pictured below).  Though the original focus was on the Meatball, it’s the Sauce and Dough that I liked best.

Once settled in, I’ll go there again, once they’re settled in their new, larger location too — They plan to move from Commonwealth to Hyland in Fullerton by the end of the year.  I’ll be there.

Whole Foods Market Newport Beach came along just in time to elevate the Special Menu (below) — It’s an incredible store and where I bought the best of the best ingredients for a “You Pick, I Prepare” Dinner.  And I thank Whole Foods Market for its $100 Gift Card towards all.  Though this post is partially sponsored, I will always tell it like it is, yo yo yo. 😉

What would you pick?  Remember Slam Books?  What’s your favorite FOOD?  Fill-in the blanks.

My answers would be very different than these, with all due respect — That’s all I’m gonna say.  Okay, I might heckle about it later.  My Slam Menu picks would likely include King Crab Legs and a Soufflé.  I got off easy with the Special Menu above, though still managed to create fodder for ‘The Bad’ segment of Nibbles of Tidbits.  It’s always a learning experience.

Most turned out well.  The Shrimp for the Shrimp Cocktail was sweet and tender, not tough, and I thank the Whole Foods Market Seafood Department for deveining them for me.  It saved a lot of time and it’s a job I certainly don’t love.  Now that’s some super service!

The Split Pea and Ham Soup (made without a recipe) fortunately turned out tasty as all get out.  And the Parmesan Crisps are what’s best about this Caesar Salad — It’s Shaved Parmesan Cheese that’s cooked in a skillet on medium (without oil) until golden brown and crisp.  I always add ’em instead of Croutons.  And then there’s the Meatloaf… Meatloaf, really?

It’s mostly ironic, since I never liked it.  Growing up I’d ask what’s for dinner and when my Mom would laughingly say “your favorite” I knew it was Meatloaf.  She knew it was the opposite of my favorite.  And here I am faced with it again.  I got past it by converting my true favorite Meatball Recipe into a Meatloaf, and served it with a Sauce made of Tomatoes, Roasted Garlic and Caramelized Onions (puréed).  If I think of a Meatloaf as a giant Meatball, I’m better.

I’ve made plenty of Twice Baked/Re-Stuffed Potatoes in my life and most have turned out perfectly fine, but these didn’t.  Isn’t that terrific when it matters.  They tasted good, but had too much Cheese (with Butter), which made all runny and oily.  Wouldn’t you know it?!

The Carrots were a bonus — They were roasted in the oven with Sweet Onions and Garlic.

And then there’s the Banana Cream Pie aka Banana Pot Pie, as dubbed by the mystery guest.  The Pie didn’t set and I’m not sure why.  Cornstarch has been problematic for me lately and will opt for Flour next time.  A Chocolate Bundt Cake from a mix was made for backup.

It was suggested that the Banana Cream ‘Pudding’ be spooned over the Chocolate Cake.

All was not lost.  Nothing was lost.  It was all good — And the time was especially great.

Thanks Whole Foods Market Newport Beach — I look forward to seeing you again.

We finally got into Rao’s!  Obviously not Rao’s original Harlem location, since the wait is two years to never to get in, and California is a bit too far for a New York dinner reservation.  However, during our recent trip to Las Vegas we had lunch at Rao’s Caesars Palace.  We already booked dinner reservations elsewhere, but knew we had to make time and room for Rao’s Meatballs too.

We have Rao’s Cookbook and consider their Meatballs to be one of our favorite recipes.  We’ve made them on a few occasions, thus had to try the actual Meatballs at the restaurant.  They were equally amazing as expected and we are so happy to have the recipe.

The pictured dining room is a replica of Rao’s original location with handfuls of tables.  Fortunately Rao’s Caesars Palace built two identical dining rooms to offer more people the Rao’s experience, since most of us will never know the magic of Rao’s Harlem.

Rao’s outdoor patio is just steps away from Caesars Palace’s happening swimming pools, where we polished off our stiff Cadillac Margaritas.  We also had the pleasure of meeting Bubbles (pictured below), a special Host at Rao’s.  We first saw him sitting at the end of the bar and knew he was a kool kat.  For some reason we b-lined to him wanting to know his story, and was somehow transported to New York during our interesting conversation.  We initially didn’t know he was/is with Rao’s and now we’re excited to send our signed, framed photo (as instructed) to be hung amongst all the remarkable, nostalgic photos decorating their walls.  We’re honored and delighted to be a part of it.  Thanks Rao’s and Bubbles. 🙂

* The unrelated frog painting was approved as an entry into the OC Fair’s Fine Arts Category and was painted by my talented Niece Bailee of Kids in the Kitchen.  The frog’s eyes match the colors in the Rao’s photograph and both were on the table — Plus it looks cool and we always want to promote the fabulous Fair, as seen by Chef Lexi’s entry here.

To become a “Bertolli Influencer” at the Foodbuzz Blogger Festival, it was required that applicants submit a MENU using Bertolli products — One Appetizer and One Entree.  Bertolli and Foodbuzz have teamed to offer a brand scholarship program to provide (10) Featured Publishers with free airfare and transportation to/from the festival, and accommodations for (2) nights in the heart of San Francisco.  Please pick me. 🙂

Pictured HERE is the 2nd Course of my Bertolli Tasting Menu.  As an entry, I proposed the following:

1st Course (Appetizer): Melt in your Mouth Meatballs with Bertolli’s Fire Roasted Tomato and Cabernet Sauvignon Sauce w/ a Garlic and Extra Virgin Olive Oil Crostini.

2nd Course (Entree): Roasted Asparagus and Red Peppers tossed with Penne Pasta and Bertolli’s Garlic Alfredo Sauce with Aged Parmesan Cheese and Pine Nuts.

Although I propose the use of Bertolli’s “Garlic” Alfredo Sauce, the original was substituted here, since the other wasn’t available at the store I shopped. Instead I roasted a bulb of Garlic in the oven and mixed in a few cloves.  All was a flavorful combination.  The (10) winners should be announced tomorrow, then Foodbuzz readers will vote for the top (3) menus to possibly be prepared at the festival — My fingers are crossed.

UPDATE 10/22/09:  Unfortunately I didn’t win this one, but you can review the winning menus here.  Thanks for the opportunity Foodbuzz and Bertolli.