The Big Lebowski fans will enjoy this monster sandwich fill with gooey cheese, beef and pork meatballs, a basil marinara sauce and mozzarella sticks.
Directions for: the Dude Abides
Ingredients
Meatballs2 lb(s) ground beef
lb(s) ground pork
5 large eggs
cup grated Romano cheese
1 medium white onion, finely chopped (1/3 cup)
1 - 2 cloves garlic, chopped (1 1/2 tsp)
1 tsp kosher salt
1 tsp fennel seed
1 tsp black pepper
1 tsp dried oregano
1 tsp dried basil
tsp garlic powder
tsp ground ancho chile
tsp crushed red pepper
Basil Marinara4 tsp olive oil
1 medium white onion, finely chopped (2/3 cup)
4 - 6 cloves garlic, finely chopped (4 tsp)
1 cups canned tomato puree
1 cups sliced canned tomatoes
1 Tbsp tomato paste
1 tsp kosher salt
tsp black pepper
tsp crushed red pepper
3 Tbsp finely chopped fresh basil
Assembly8 slices Italian or French bread
16 slices provolone cheese
Packaged deep-fried mozzarella wedges or mozzarella sticks
Butter
Garlic seasoning
Romano cheese
Directions
Meatballs1. Preheat oven to 350F.
2. in a large bowl, stir together ground beef, ground pork, eggs, Romano cheese, onions, garlic, salt, fennel seed, black pepper, oregano, basil, garlic powder, Anchochili, and crushed red pepper.
3. Divide the mixture into 8 to 12 even portions and roll each into a smooth ball.
4. Place meatballs onto a greased baking tray, leaving at least 1 inch of space between meatballs.
5. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until meatballs reach an internal temperature of at least 160F.
Basil Marinara1. while the meatballs cook, heat oil in a medium pot over medium heat.
2. Add onions and garlic and stir, while cooking, until onions are soft and translucent.
3. Add tomato puree, sliced canned tomatoes, tomato paste, salt, pepper, and crushed red pepper; stir well.
4. Bring sauce to a simmer; reduce heat to low and continue simmering for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until sauce starts to thicken.
5. Remove sauce from heat and stir in fresh basil.
Assembly1. once meatballs are done cooking, set aside to cool, keeping oven preheated.
2. Cook mozzarella wedges or sticks as directed.
3. to assemble the sandwich, butter two pieces of bread and place into a pan to toast over medium heat.
4. once first side has toasted, flip bread and continue toasting on the second side.
5. as the second side toasts, lay two pieces of provolone cheese over each slice of bread.
6. Ladle cup of sauce over the provolone.
7. Add meatballs to one side of the bread; add desired number of mozzarella wedges or sticks to the second slice of bread.
8. Place bread, open-faced, onto a baking sheet and repeat toasting process with remaining bread.
9. once all slices have been toasted, topped, and arranged on the baking sheet, place baking sheet into the oven for 3 minutes, or until cheese melts.
10. Remove bread from the oven; assemble sandwiches, and sprinkle with garlic seasoning and Romano cheese.
Tips and Substitutions
Leftover sauce and meatballs will keep for 5 to 7 days if sealed and refrigerated properly.
Source and Credits
Courtesy of Matt Fish of Melted Bar & Grilled
See more: Bake, Beef, Cheese, Eggs/Dairy, Herbs, Main, Pork, Tomatoes