Ingredients

  • 1/2 pound ground veal
  • 1/2 pound ground beef chuck
  • 1/2 pound ground pork
  • 1/2 cup finely chopped yellow onion
  • 1/2 teaspoon finely chopped garlic
  • 1/4 cup finely chopped green onions or scallions (green part only)
  • 1 large egg
  • 1/4 cup fine dried bread crumbs
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
  • 3/4 teaspoon cayenne
  • 16 small cloves garlic, peeled
  • 1/4 cup bleached all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon Creole Seasoning (recipe follows)
  • 1/4 cup vegetable oil
  • 2 cups thinly sliced yellow onions
  • 1 (12-ounce) bottle Abita amber beer or other amber beer
  • 1 cup water
  • 3 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley leaves
  • 1 large (26 to 28 inches long) loaf French bread
  • 6 tablespoons Creole or whole grain mustard
  • 6 tablespoons mayonnaise
  • 1/2 pound provolone cheese, thinly sliced
  • 2 1/2 tablespoons paprika
  • 2 tablespoons salt
  • 2 tablespoons garlic powder
  • 1 tablespoon black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon onion powder
  • 1 tablespoon cayenne pepper
  • 1 tablespoon dried oregano
  • 1 tablespoon dried thyme

Method

  • In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground meats, chopped yellow onion, chopped garlic, green onions, egg, bread crumbs, Worcestershire, 1 teaspoon of the salt, and 1/2 teaspoon of the cayenne.
  • Mix well with your hands and form into 16 meatballs.
  • Insert a garlic clove in the center of each meatball and pinch the meat around it.
  • Combine the flour and Creole seasoning in a shallow plate.
  • Roll the meatballs evenly in the flour mixture, tapping off any excess.
  • Reserve any remaining flour.
  • In a large skillet, heat the oil over medium heat.
  • Add the meatballs and brown evenly, using a spoon to turn them.
  • Remove the meatballs from the pan and set aside.
  • With a wooden spoon, scrape the bottom of the pan to loosen any brown bits.
  • Stir in the reserved seasoned flour.
  • Stir constantly for 3 to 4 minutes to make a dark brown roux.
  • Add the sliced onions and season with the remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon cayenne.
  • Cook, stirring constantly, until the onions are slightly soft, about 2 minutes.
  • Slowly pour in the beer and water and mix well.
  • Bring to a boil and return the meatballs to the skillet.
  • Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer, uncovered, for about 1 hour, until the gravy is thick, turning and basting the meatballs with the pan gravy about every 15 minutes.
  • Remove from the heat and skim off any fat that has risen to the surface.
  • Add the parsley.
  • Cut the loaf of bread lengthwise in half.
  • Spread one half with the mustard and the other half with the mayonnaise.
  • Arrange the provolone on the bottom half of the bread, overlapping the slices, then arrange the meatballs on top of the cheese.
  • Spoon the gravy over the meatballs.
  • Top with the remaining bread half, cut into 6 equal portions, and serve immediately.
  • Combine all ingredients thoroughly.
  • Yield: 2/3 cup