As the month of March approaches we get excited for the impending spring season. We are hopeful that warmer weather is rounding the corner. March is also pretty synonymous with St. Patrick’s day and all things green. What I am most excited for is coming up on March 9th, national Meatball Day. If it is not on your calendar it should be! Meatballs are as versatile as they are comforting. I spent some time at Times Square Restaurant, Buca di Beppo learning how to make their famous Buca style meatballs in honor of this special occasion.

For some hard core foodies, a Times Square restaurant may not be the first place you choose to look for an amazing meatball. The meatballs at Buca di Beppo are not just your average Sunday dinner balls of meat. They are a half pound in weight and they are serious about it. Behind the scenes each meatball is carefully weighed to make sure it is the perfect 8 oz. size before it hits the oven. In addition to the ground beef Buca di Beppo’s famous recipe uses poached garlic, breadcrumbs, eggs, and parmesan cheese. In my house we usually fry the meatballs with cloves of garlic. The addition of the poached garlic directly into the meatball  I think makes a big difference in taste. In my opinion, this may be what makes Buca’s meatballs so delicious. Or perhaps its that they are then baked in Buca’s homemade marinara sauce, which I learned they make fresh everyday. Being in the kitchen at Buca I observed fresh ingredients being prepped and family style food being made to order.

One thing is for certain they take Buca style very seriously. Buca di Beppo brings the family dinner table feel to the hustle and bustle of Times Square. If you are looking for a place to celebrate on March 9th challenge yourself to the half pound Buca meatball. I promise you won’t leave hungry!

To get your meatball on visit Buca di Beppo here: http://www.bucadibeppo.com/

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About The Author

Dish It Girl

Get ready to dish it up! My name is Dina Deleasa-Gonsar and I am so happy to have you join me in my little kitchen of big dreams. You may have seen me appear alongside my family on the E! Networks “Married to Jonas.” As seen during the show food is synonymous with family and life events. I have grown up with Sunday dinner being treated like a weekly holiday. Family dinner is serious business and perhaps a lost art. My formal training comes first and foremost from my mom and grandmother. Along the way I have picked up techniques from various cooking classes from the Institute of Culinary Education and the Ninety Acres Culinary Center. I hope to continue to inspire home cooks to venture out and create meals that are the centerpieces for family time and traditions. I can put on some heels and hit up a 5-star restaurant then, chase down a food truck. Join me as I try to land somewhere between Martha Stewart and my mom in my home cooking and entertaining adventures. If you can dish it, you best believe I can eat it!