The Key to the Perfect Meatball, According to Marcus Samuelsson

every year NYC Wine and Food Festival gives foodies, reporters, and restaurant greats the opportunity to come together to support New Yorkers in need. We met at the event world famous Chef Marcus SamuelssonHe’s the one you may recognize from the long-running show “Chopped” or from one of his many popular restaurants across the United States. There are many reasons to trust Samuelsson’s taste; most notably, his three-star review in The New York Times makes him the youngest person to receive this honor.

We chatted with Chef Samuelsson to get his expert opinion on how to perfect the most popular dinner staple, Meatballs. Although meatballs are a relatively easy dish, according to Samuelsson, the first step to perfection starts with the basics. “Lamb or pork is the best base meat you can put in. (…) Fat is really the key,” he told us. Both pig and lamb meatballs — or perhaps a blend of the two proteins — make an excellent meatloaf base because they’re high in protein and contain monounsaturated fats, aka the healthy kind.

Read more: 44 Types of Pasta and When Should You Use It?

Tips on the Taste of Meatballs

Once you’ve determined the fat content correctly, there are other things you need to keep in mind to make sure you get to the perfect meatloaf finish line. For example; spice blends, size, and binders all contribute to a plate of flavorful, juicy-centered meatballs.

Chef Marcus Samuelsson recommends quinoa or breadcrumbs as a binding agent, along with adding some sautéed red onion to the mix. When it comes to meatballs, size matters, according to Chef Samuelsson: “Don’t make them too small when frying them as they tend to dry out.” Samuelsson slightly preferred lamb meatballs because “they can be charred harder and you can work with more garlic and paprika.” Getting the charcoal on the outside will not only add flavor, but will also help your meatballs hold their shape no matter what food you put them in. Samuelsson says a good spice blend for pork-based meatballs includes aromatics like thyme and cloves. If you’re looking for more flavor combination options, take a look here: Meatball recipes in this best list.

Read Original article on Tasting Table.