Wolfpack-Style Meatballs

I’d be lying if I were to say that I’m familiar with baby showers.
I mean, I know what a baby shower is: A party usually thrown by a friend or family member for the first child so that the mom-to-be can feel supported by her friends and family and obtain a few of the essentials.
There’s food, there’s tittle-tattle, there’s a lot of “Oh my God this is the cutest thing ever!”, there are usually party games organized by the host, and so on.
But traditionally baby showers are just women (though more and more are starting to have a mix of men and women) and I’m not ashamed to say that I’ve never been invited to one.

But when a month ago my good friend Chris popped the idea of throwing a very manly virtual surprise baby shower for our good friend David over @SpicedBlog (whose wife is expecting a boy on the 2nd week of November) I was all over it.
David and I have become friends through blogging and we are also part of the Mighty Wolfpack.
Let me tell you this, when it comes to dude food blogging no one does it like the Wolfpack.
We eat, we rant, and we howl at the moon until we’re all howled out. We’re that cool.
So a virtual baby shower for one of the Wolfpack members? Hell yeah!

There’s no theme for the shower, except that it has to be good food.
As for myself, I decided that if I were ever invited to a baby shower, I would bring my almighty-super-duper-awesome meatballs that I have rebranded for this one time only as Wolfpack-Style Meatballs.
These are my go-to meatballs these days. Delicious, versatile, and the recipe makes a ton! Super easy.

So I am inviting you ALL to our virtual baby shower. Below is a list of all of the bloggers who participated and their posts. Please visit their blogs and enjoy. I hope you are hungry because these bloggers know how to throw a party with fabulous food. Everything looks fantastic!

Buffalo Chicken Blue Cheese Hand Pies by American Heritage Cooking

Chocolate Bacon Toffee by Bakerita

Pumpkin Beer Soft Pretzels by Baking A Moment

No Bake Salted Caramel Apple Slice by The Big Man's World

Philadelphia Cheesesteak - Southern Style by Beer Girl Cooks

Shredded BBQ Chicken Nachos by Blahnik Baker

Cinnamon Churros by Cooking With Manali

Grilled Brown Butter Burgers with Swiss + Boubon Mushrooms by Cooking for Keeps

Cider Braised Brisket by Foodness Gracious

Ham Potato and Corn Chowder by Gather For Bread

Mini Croques Monsieur Sandwiches by Hip Foodie Mom

Pecan Praline Popcorn by Jem Of The South

No Bake Pumpkin Cheesecake Pecan Tarts by Kevin Is Cooking

Maple Sriracha Pulled Pork Mini Pies by Life Made Sweeter

Vanilla Almond Snowball Cake by Pizzazzerie

Cinnamon Bacon Donuts by Runnin Srilankan

Buffalo Garlic Knots by Shared Appetite

Spicy Butternut Bacon Deviled Eggs by Snixy Kitchen

Maple Bourbon Bacon Chocolate Donuts by URBAN BAKES

Vegan White Pizza with Spinach & Basil by Whisk & Shout

And of course a big virtual hug to my man David and his wife for their upcoming child: I wish them all the best!

Wolfpack-Style Meatballs                                                                                                Print this recipe!

Ingredients
Serves 6

1 lb / 453 ground beef (80/20)
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons chopped parsley
1 egg, lightly beaten
¼ cup almond meal (or breadcrumbs)
¼ cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese
¼ cup beef stock
2 teaspoons fine grain salt
⅛ teaspoon fresh ground pepper

Directions

Preheat oven to 350ºF (175ºC) and place a rack in the middle. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
In a large bowl, mix all ingredients with your hands until combined
Wet your hands slightly and roll meatballs into 2-inch round balls (about 2½ oz each)
Lay meatballs evenly with a 1-inch gap between each on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 20 minutes.
Serve with Marinara sauce, top with grated cheese, and garnish with fresh basil.

Nutrition facts

One serving yields 242 calories, 19 grams of fat, 1 gram of carbs, and 17 grams of protein.