What was this dinner you might ask? Mini meatball sandwiches! I took my favorite meatball recipe and made itty bitty meatballs. They were literally an ounce a piece. I had 24 oz. of meat and 23 meatballs. Usually, I get about 12-13 meatballs per package of ground beef.
Anyway, I took these teeny tiny meatballs, put them on a light hot dog bun, topped them with about 2 Tbsp. of marinara sauce, and mixed lowfat Italian cheese and broiled them for about 5 minutes. The result? Well, see for yourself:
Delicious, simple, and just enough food (though I may have had a couple extra meatballs!) Here’s the whole plate, complete with a fresh salad topped with Penzey’s Green Goddess dressing.
I’m quite proud of myself that I had more vegetables on that plate than meat or starch… and I’m still satisfied! There will be a mini coconut milk ice cream sundae tonight too, but not until much later. I have some challah a-rising! I finally had the time tonight to make the challah I donated for Meghann’s Blogger Bake Sale. So, Kara and KP? It’s going out tomorrow!!
Now, as promised, a new feature on What’s For Dinner?, something I’m calling “Guests for Dinner.” My first guest is Matt from Run, Live, and Enjoy. I “met” Matt when he asked me to make him a new header for his blog, and have since become amazed by his incredible running skill! So, have a seat at my table, Matt, and share what you made for dinner:
Hey everyone! Matt here from Run, Live, and Enjoy! Mara has graciously asked me to do a guest dinner post and I gladly accepted. I’m no professional chef, but cooking is a huge hobby of mine. Ever since I came to college, I started cooking to keep costs down and it’s also a lot healthier than eating out all the time. As a runner, nutrition is really important to me, so I love whipping up healthy meals.
Here is my take on a classic, chicken fried rice. It’s pretty easy and actually only takes a few minutes. I’m not going to list amounts of ingredients because I just made this for myself and didn’t really measure. You can adjust the amounts to your tastes and how many people you need to feed!
You’ll need:
1. Vegetables of your choice (I used an Asian blend)
2. Chicken (shrimp, scallops, or beef would work as well)
3. LEFTOVER brown or white rice (I used brown; It’s important the rice is leftover and cold or else it will get really mushy)
4. Teriyaki sauce
5. Oil for stir fryingI started by sautéing half a bag of a frozen Asian vegetable medley that I bought at target. It has all of my favorite vegetables including broccoli, water chestnuts, carrots, red peppers, and a few others. Easy, cheap, delicious, and nutritious.
Once the vegetables were done, I removed them from the pan and started sautéing some chicken in a bit of olive oil. I seasoned the chicken with salt and pepper beforehand. Yes that pan is old!
Once the chicken was done, I added some leftover brown rice, veggies, and my teriyaki sauce. The sauce is awesome; even better than the store bought sauces. I’m sure you could use those as well if you don’t have the ingredients on hand.
I let the rice crisp and heat up and just mixed everything together. Add as much or as little sauce as you want. I added a lot; I LOVE teriyaki sauce!
All plated up.
I hope you guys enjoyed!
Thanks Matt! Do you want to see YOUR dinner on What’s For Dinner? Send me a description, a photo, a recipe, or all of the above, and you too can be featured!
I’m off to punch down some challah, and then enjoy a tiny sundae… have a wonderful evening!














{ 24 comments… read them below or add one }
Hooray for Matt!!
VeggieGirl´s last blog post..Satisfying Reader Requests
How do you like that Penzey’s dressing mix? I lurve Penzeys and have often thought of getting it, but just haven’t gotten around to it! I miss meatballs
Andrea of Care to Eat´s last blog post..Andrea: Brain fart
Coconut milk ice cream is totally a necessity. Love it!
And I love the new Guests for Dinner feature. So neat!
Erin´s last blog post..Musings and 8 Things
GREAT guest post! and that meatball sub looks awesome
brandi´s last blog post..Camera-less
I don’t know why, but I’ve never had a meatball sandwiches. And seeing posts like this make me want to smack myself for being such a meaball slacker.
Wiggs (The Beholder)´s last blog post..Goin’ on a Blog Hunt
Yep, I’m sold. 1 mini meatball sub plz.
Hey if you get a sec tomorrow, swing by my blog to check out the auction/bake sale I’m hosting to raise $$ to fight cancer.
Erin´s last blog post..Is that a tongue on my placemat
Looks good! And great you had more veggies than meat or starch AND was satisfied.
Also like your new idea “Guest for Dinner” — really good concept!
Dinneen (Eat Without Guilt)´s last blog post..Wouldn’t you like to know The Top 5 Slimming Secrets of Successful Women?
how sweet that you’re making challah! is it difficult to do?
Pearl´s last blog post..Almond Brittle
Forgive me if I repeat myself, but I must say it again. YOU MUST PUBLISH A COOKBOOK!
Rose´s last blog post..15-Minute Movement Challenge
Both meals look amazing! How fun that you now have “guests for dinner!”
Matt, What a great formula for a tasty dinner!
Mara, The melted cheese on your sub looks beyond amazing. I can only imagine how good it was. Drool!!
Nicole (Sweetie Pie)´s last blog post..Back from the ‘Burg
I think you would appreciate knowing that my grandpa makes tiny little meatballs and puts them in chicken soup. My mom did it for Easter this year.
Hangry Pants´s last blog post..He Says: Cha-llange!
I love meatball sandwiches (minus the cheese of course haha). Those look great! And I love the Guests for Dinner feature…I like it a lot
Hallie´s last blog post..Seasonal Selections: Hoppin’ Jalapeños
Your meatball sandwiches look delish! Great job!
Elizabeth (thelongweigh)´s last blog post..Stranger Danger
that looks a-mazing!! i’ve never had meatball subs…. this one looks really good. i am so jealous of the challah receiver!!!
and great guest post!
mi´s last blog post..weekly favourites
the meatball looks delicious!!!!!!!
oh… great guest post!
coco´s last blog post..Day 8: a real Sunday! ^_^
That stir-fry has got my head churning for another “mix-it-up” bowl creation of mine! yummy!
and I do love a good meatball. The smaller, the cuter, and the more I can eat! haha!
Sophia´s last blog post..Seduced again by the French mistress
okay your readers might gag or GIGGLE at my dinner some nights….
definitely not postworthy
MizFit´s last blog post..Earth Day 2009
OMG…those subs look wicked!!!! They would surely be a hit in my family!!!
Krista´s last blog post..And The Lucky Winner Is…..
That sandwich is making my mouth water. Seriously.
I love the new guest post feature!
Spiceaholic´s last blog post..Recipe Review – Lemony Salmon with Yogurt-Dill Sauce
I love your “guest for dinner” idea – awesome!
Mm I haven’t had a meatball sandwich in forever. They used to be my mom’s favorite and I’d always steal a bite of hers. Your making me miss home
eatingbender´s last blog post..25:42!!
that sandwich looks so incredibly delish! yumyumyum!
lovin the cheesey goodness
Shannon (The Daily Balance)´s last blog post..‘Try it’ – Stay dry with ‘wick’ed sports gear
I’m not sure I’ve ever had a meatball sandwich. It looks very yummy though!!
I’ve never had coconut milk ice cream either. I am just missing out!!
Melissa´s last blog post..Just The Highlights…
The meatball sub looks FANTASTIC!
Lauren´s last blog post..A Classic Combo
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