Meat/ Recipe

Pesto Meatballs

Hey, guess what?…..
 
IMG_2288
…Tomorrow I’m taking the last class of my undergrad degree ever!
 
I’ve already written my take home final exam for “The Medicalization of Sex”. All I have left to do is write the final exam for my class, “The Ethics of BioMedicine”….and I’ll officially be finished my degree. And it couldn’t have come at a better time, I think.
 
I love school. I really do. Especially the degree I’ve taken – Women’s Studies. But I’m exhausted. It’s fucked my shit up. In a good way – and in such, made me a better person. For those of you who don’t know what Women’s Studies is (and it’s been my experience that most people don’t), it’s a highly political degree that exposes, interrogates, and takes apart the various oppressions in the world from the perspectives of gender, sex, sexuality, race, class, religion, language, disability, etc… It’s taught me that what we say and do, and how we say and do, matters. For all the inherent problems of second wave feminism (think 1970’s), those gals did get one thing right: The personal is political. Everything you do and say in life has ramifications somewhere else – whether that be in your own back yard or half way around the world. It made me ask “what’s my social responsibility in all this?”. How can I live by causing the least amount of damage?
 
IMG_2291
In essence, my degree ruined my life. I can’t go shopping or buy groceries or watch television or movies or read magazines or books without seeing the stereotypes, biases, violence, and discrimination. I go out of my mind with it! That being said, I’ve become much more conscious about the world around me and grown into a person I definitely wasn’t before I started University. A person I like a whole lot more – even if I’m not fun to watch movies with.So, thank you university and fabulous Women’s Studies professors. I’ll be back at some point for Law school or my Masters… eventually. But for now, I’m going to read trashy novels (like this one – thanks Amy. I’m actually enjoying it. Oddly enough.), lay in the sun, drink some vino, maybe get back to painting, grow some shit, save up for a big move to come, start moving my body a little more, and eat a lot.
IMG_2299
Speaking of eating – how bout some pesto meatballs? I’m in the process of trying to use up some of the freezer stuff that’s been piling up for a while now and my first thought when I saw the pesto was pasta. Obviously. But I didn’t want to do just pesto pasta. Been done. Instead, stick it IN something… like the balls. I love meatballs. Seriously. With a great big fat bottle of red wine. Balls and wine – makes this bitch a happy lady.

Pesto Meatballs

Prep

Cook

Total

Ingredients

  • 1 Lb Happy Ground Pork.
  • 1/2 Onion, finely diced.
  • 2 Cloves Garlic, peeled & crushed.
  • 1/2 C Spinach Almond Pesto.
  • The Zest of 1 Lemon.
  • Kosher Salt & Fresh Cracked Black Pepper to taste.

To Serve:

  • Some Saucy Tomato Sauce.
  • Pasta cooked according to package directions.
  • 1/4 C Grated Parmesan Cheese
  • Kosher Salt & Fresh Cracked Pepper.

Instructions

  1. Pre-heat your oven to 400 degrees F. Lightly grease a baking pan with non-stick spray. Set aside.
  2. Mix all the ingredients in a large bowl with your hands. Make sure it's worked in well. Now make 1-2" wide balls in the palm of your hand. Place formed balls in the prepared baking pan. Make sure the balls aren't touching or you'll over-crowd the pan.
  3. Place in the oven and bake for about 30 minutes, shaking/flipping after 15 minutes.
  4. Once they're done in the oven, transfer the balls to a simmering tomato sauce over low heat, cover and let cook for about 15 to 20 minutes.Serve on a bed of yummy el dente pasta, a little grated parmesan on top, and finish with a good helping of black pepper.
  5. Eat.

 

 
 
 
IMG_2303
  • Aarthi
    April 3, 2012 at 4:27 PM

    these meatballs looks awesome

    Aarthi
    YUMMY TUMMY

    • Kristy Lynn
      April 5, 2012 at 6:08 PM

      haha, oh thank you!

  • Auburn Meadow Farm
    April 3, 2012 at 5:46 PM

    That’s an interesting meatball…. I’ll have to give it a try.

    Not even going to touch The Medicalization of Sex with a ten foot pole.

    • Kristy Lynn
      April 5, 2012 at 6:08 PM

      hahaha – that’s how most people feel about most things we talk about in my degree. hahahaha…

  • onceuponarecipe
    April 3, 2012 at 7:51 PM

    Yes and yes! (To the wine and balls)…had a bit too much of the former and not enough of the latter lately…ahem…
    Oh, and congratulations on (almost) finishing your degree – such a huge accomplishment! Enjoy all of that fabulous free time! 🙂

    • Kristy Lynn
      April 5, 2012 at 6:08 PM

      HAHA – jealous.

  • shutupandcook
    April 5, 2012 at 2:25 AM

    Pesto meatballs…sounds like an interesting conversation! I’ll give it a shot!

    • Kristy Lynn
      April 5, 2012 at 6:08 PM

      let me know how it works out for you 🙂

  • Lisa @ Snappy Gourmet
    April 5, 2012 at 7:13 PM

    Pesto just automatically makes everything better! These look great!

  • April @ The 21st Century Housewife
    April 8, 2012 at 4:41 PM

    Congratulations on finishing your undergrad degree!! What a challenging, and yet totally fascinating, subject to study – I can see how it really could change so much about how you think and what you buy, do etc!

    As for these meatballs, they sound fantastic! They’ve got to be the perfect celebration meal with a nice glass of red. I like that you used spinach almond pesto with the pork, and the lemon would add such a nice zing. Thank you for sharing another delicious post!

    • Kristy Lynn
      April 10, 2012 at 2:46 PM

      thank you April!

      meatballs are great. undergrad degree messed me up. both were good things. haha..

  • Miz Helen
    April 9, 2012 at 3:51 PM

    Congratulations on completing your degree!!

    Your Meatballs look amazing, and I can’t wait to make them, we are going to just love them! Hope you have a wonderful week and thank you so much for sharing with Full Plate Thursday.
    Come Back Soon!
    Miz Helen

    • Kristy Lynn
      April 10, 2012 at 2:47 PM

      Thanks Miz Helen! I hope all is well with you!