Chorizo Meatballs are a delicious party food. They make a great entree or small tapas dish. These come with a side serve of end of School Social Fun.
The Side of School Social Fun
After reading the adventures of other Mothers** with year 12 students and end of year Formals or “Balls” as they used to be called, I wanted to just have a last whirl round the dance floor …… metaphorically, as a Mother of a boy.
Sadly there is no way I could afford a suit, so we called on cousin Tim. He had three suits. All three were modelled and checked and although there were complaints and side-wards comments, his girlfriend chose one. Skater was completely oblivious at the importance of this event (for girls) he was just still in it to please. Suit shoes arrived, as did a shirt chosen by his girlfriend and still no feathers were ruffled .
But of course it had to come. A week before the formal, a tie that matched the dress and some jewellery needed to be found. This didn’t involve Skater, support does not go that far!. After a tough day shopping, his girlfriend sent a picture of the tie that she bought him…..and he didn’t like it…. he said so, and a text war began. I felt very sorry for him, I dont know if he was more upset about fighting with his girlfriend or about the thought of wearing something he didn’t like. At times like these I don’t always know what to say, however Mums advice included two things.
1. Take charge of your self at all times. Don’t let anybody make decisions on your behalf no matter who it is. If you say you are going to do something see it through and get involved.
2. Always be respectful but say what you think if it really isn’t going to kill someone. However, if you give someone the go ahead to make a decision for you then you must honour that.
Then what’s the next hardest thing about being the mother of the boy going to formal night?. You have to let him go to the girls house that he’s going to the formal with, and let him be the handbag, when really he’s your handsome first time formal son …who you are completely in love with and who is still your little boy. sniff.
Now for the Chorizo Meatballs
I’ve made some lovely Chorizo Meatballs with buckwheat polenta, parmesan and tomato. These are really just skating in on the last of the chilly nights. This was based on an idea I saw on Jeroxie.com. I thought they went with the Ball theme of course….
Chorizo Meatballs with Polenta and Parmesan
Ingredients
- 500 gm fresh chorizo ( the soft butcher made kind this is raw like sausage)
- 3 whole sausages fat pork ones
- 2 Tablespoons Parsley chopped
- 200 gm polenta I used organic Buckwheat Polenta but any type will do
- 750 ml water or stock
- 100 gm parmesan cheese grated and some extra for serving
- 5 gm salt and pepper
- 400 gm tomatoes tin of chopped or 2 cups of chopped tomatoes
- 1/2 cup basil leaves
- 60 ml Olive Oil
Instructions
- Remove the sausages from their skins and put into a bowl with the parsley and mix well. Form into 12 balls.
- Brown on all sides in a fry pan in 2 Tablespoons olive oil. Drain on absorbent paper ( they don't need to be cooked all the way through).
- Put them back in the fry pan with the extra olive oil, tomato and basil and simmer on low till cooked through.or approximately 6-8 minutes. Season with sea salt and pepper
Polenta
- To cook the polenta. Bring the water (or stock) to a boil in a saucepan. When the water is boiling sprinkle in the polenta stiring or whisking till it is thick.Let it cook on low, leaving to simmer for around an hour. ( if you have instant polenta it will take 1/2 of this time. )
- When it is thick and bubbling like lava, add the parmesan and salt and pepper.
- Serve this just like mashed potato with the meat balls and sauce and shaved parmesan
Phew…. all over now.
I must admit, in high school I was the kid in the collared shirt and black jeans, looking rather rumpled & jittery at being in what I considered to be posh clothes. 🙂
And the tie in the photo, was that the one she picked out? It looks fine!
Ha yes that sounds familiar. Yes in the end e looked great….Im not sure why he balked so pointedly at the tie!
I have just found your blog via Belleau Kitchen and read this post first. I had to comment as I just love the link between your son’s school Ball and the meatballs, and I love the title! We used to call a formal a ball too. They get called proms in the UK now, which I think is a shame. The young couple look lovely. What does he think of his mum posting his photo? I look forward to exploring more recipes on your blog.
Thanks for your comment. Wow proms in the UK thats such an American term isnt it?. They do look lovely and young and sweet and so much ahead of them!
They are SWEET! There ain’t anything like that while I was still at school. And I can’t dance at all.
I would prefer to stay home and enjoy some of your delicious meatballs.
Awww you are lovely to me x
I’m thinking I got off very lightly with my lovely boy for his formal. We went to the outlet stores, bought the first suit we saw for $100 and a tie. A pair of shoes on sale and a cheap shirt later and we were done.
And there he was – a young man.
Sniff.
Sniff indeed …..lovely……………
Aww they’re both so cute together! And I think formals are much less stressful for boys and parents of boys than they are girls. Now imagine if Skater took Arabella to a formal! Hehe that would be fun to read about 😉
Oh Yes sir ree shed have him whipped into shape in no time
What a great post. Thanks for sharing both your life and the great recipe.
Hello Victoria. Thanks for visiting me
Cute couple! They grow up so fast, huh?
Love the comforting bowl of meatballs and polenta!
Yes Kiran they do, just as the winter comes again so fast
What a lovely photo of Skater! Handsome boy, and he really does scrub up well in a suit! Maybe you need to steal it from Tim! 🙂 My boys never bothered with formals…ah well..
Thanks Celia….. we have created some lovely citizens
Boys do get left out a bit don’t they? Very handsome boy indeed! And delicious recipe too 🙂
Thanks for adoring my handsome boy
Very much enjoyed the post too…..Yes they do look amazing, bit of a sniff from me too, he looks so grown up! The meatballs look very tasty.
Awww I know isn’t it sweet?
Those chorizo meatballs look fantastic!
Hi Tania, what a great post and I’m so glad you shared all the goings-on. It’s such an unbelievable time of drama and high-tension. Your Skater looks gorgeous as does the girlfriend with the bad taste in ties! My Archie wore a borrowed suit as well as I didn’t want to pay $200 for a hired tuxedo. We did buy a shirt and a tie though. But, I think mothers of girls end up with a much lighter wallet. I’m glad now that for both of us, it’s all just happy memories. We can relax. Thanks for the shout-out, Tania – very generous of you xx
Hello Charlie, not generous, you do keep me entertained a lot. You’ve only got 1 MORE to go now …sigh