Boyle’s Meatball Subs from Brooklyn 99

I have a few shows I re-watch whenever I need a pick-me-up, and Brooklyn 99 has started to become one of those. And while I’m an Amy all the way, I often feel for Boyle and his ridiculous food obsession. In the episode “The Negotiation” Boyle decides to open a food truck called “The One Thing”, where he will create and sell only one thing and do it perfectly. He decides to use Nana Boyle’s meatball sub recipe. I decided to emulate it using a classic meatball and sauce recipe, but add a few details (like fennel and fresh mozzarella) that I think Boyle would approve of.

Just be careful when you cut the bread. You don’t want it to slope.

Boyle's Meatball Subs from Brooklyn 99

 

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Author: Tara Theoharis

Ingredients

• SAUCE
• 2 tbs olive oil
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 6 garlic cloves, minced
• 6 oz tomato paste
• 28 oz crushed tomatoes
• ½ cup red wine
• ¾ cup parmesan cheese, grated
• 1 tbs sugar
• 2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp pepper
• 1 tbs fresh basil, chopped
• 1 tbs fresh parsley, chopped
• 2 tsp oregano
• A pinch of red pepper flakes
• MEATBALLS
• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 lb ground pork
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 eggs, slightly beaten
• ¾ cups bread crumbs
• ½ cup whole milk
• ⅓ cup parmesan cheese, grated
• 2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp pepper
• 1 tbs fresh basil, chopped
• 1 tbs fresh parsley, chopped
• 2 tsp oregano
• 1 tsp ground fennel
• A pinch of red pepper flakes
• 2 tbs olive oil
• SANDWICH
• 8 hoagie rolls
• 8 oz Fresh mozzarella
• 8 leaves of Fresh basil

Instructions

1. SAUCE:
2. Place olive oil in a large pot on medium-high heat and add onions. Saute until the onions are transparent, and then add the minced garlic. Cook for 2 minutes.
3. Add tomato paste, 6 oz of water, crushed tomatoes, wine, cheese, sugar, and seasonings. Let simmer.
4. MEATBALLS:
5. Place all ingredients except olive oil into a large bowl and mix with your hands until thoroughly combined.
6. Form the meat mixture into 2-inch balls, or about the size of the inside of your palm. (Don’t fondle them too much or the balls will get tough.)
7. Put the olive oil in a heated pan and when hot, add the meatballs. Brown on all sides, and then place in the sauce. Simmer for 2 hours.
8. SANDWICH:
9. Slice the hoagie rolls down the middle
10. Place 3 meatballs and a bit of sauce in the hoagie roll
11. Top with thin slices of fresh mozzarella
12. Chiffonade the basil leaves (roll them tightly and cut the roll into strips, creating ribbons of basil) and sprinkle on top
13. Serve exactly 70 seconds after saucing (Boyle's orders) and enjoy!

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