Mom and Alton Brown know best

I've been making my mom's meatballs for years now. I've always thought they were pretty wonderful, but she IS my mom and you know how that goes. Anyway, I had all of the ingredients to make them yesterday but I totally blanked out on the temp. and time. Then, of course, I couldn't find the recipe so I went to the Internet to find something similar. Alton Brown has one that is remarkably similar to my mothers. Way to go mom- would be Food Network Star! Alton's had Parmesan cheese and slightly different spices than my moms but I had already added the parm a long time ago on my own. I thought he had something with the red pepper flakes though so they got added into the rec. that I now have on file again. The meatballs were fabulous as usual and I figure it's about time I share:)

Meatballs(part mom, part Alton, part me:)
1 1/2 lb meat(can use all ground beef or a combination of different types you like)
1/2 cup Parmesan
1 egg
1 1/2 tsp dried basil(I actually use a little less)
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
1/4 cup breadcrumbs(I use a bit more- not quite 1/2 cup)
1/2 small onion FINELY minced

400 degree oven
Mix all ingredients with your hands.
Form into uniform balls (use a Tbsp measuring spoon if you need to).
Place on baking tray- make sure they are not squished up next to each other!
Bake for 20-25 min.- until nicely browned.
**Tip- use the hollowed out bread(see below) for homemade breadcrumbs:)

Add the meatballs to your favorite sauce, let them simmer for a bit and they are ready to go.

Last night I served mine on crusty, whole grain baguettes(hollow out one side of each baguette-to make eating the sandwiches easier) with fresh spinach, REAL Parmesan cheese and sliced mozzarella(If you make this recipe, please get the good stuff for me!!!) I put them under the broiler for a minute and they were BEAUTIFUL. I wish I had taken pictures!
There are so many options(other than spinach and cheese) for topping them. I actually baked some eggplant to add to mine last night, but I totally ruined it!!! Oh well!

Make them sometime and think of me...and my mom....and Alton Brown.