Rachael's Chicken and Ricotta Meatballs

For the meatballs:

• 2 pounds ground chicken (I prefer 1 pound white meat, 1 pound dark meat)
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon pepper
• ½ teaspoon white pepper
• ⅛ teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1 pound ricotta, well drained
• 1 cup freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese
• 1 egg
• ¼ cup chopped flat leaf parsley, ½ cup leaves
• 2 cloves garlic, grated or finely chopped
• 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil (EVOO)

For the marinara sauce:

• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil (EVOO)
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 small onion
• 3 large cloves garlic
• 3 tablespoons sundried tomato paste
• ½ cup red vermouth or red wine
• One 28-ounce can Italian crushed tomatoes
• 1 teaspoon red chili flakes or ground pepperoncini, ⅓ palmful
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano, about ⅓ palmful
• Garlic bread or pasta, for serving

Combine the meatball ingredients in a bowl and roll into 2-inch balls. Arrange on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet and chill 30 minutes or overnight.

For the sauce, preheat a deep skillet or saucepot over medium to medium-high heat. Add the oil and once hot, melt in the butter. Peel and finely chop or grate the onion and add to the butter once it foams, soften a bit while you peel and chop or thinly slice the garlic, add garlic to onion, stir a minute. Add paste, then vermouth or wine and bring to a bubble. Add tomatoes to sauce and season with chili and oregano, then reduce heat and simmer to thicken a bit.

Preheat oven to 450˚F and place rack in center of oven.

Roast meatballs on lined baking sheet 12-15 minutes until light golden.

Add meatballs to sauce and simmer until ready to serve.

Serve with garlic bread or with pasta of choice.