Published: January 2026
Author: Sara Forte
Recipe origin: ‘Around Our Table: Wholesome Recipes to Feed Your Family and Friends’ by Sara Forte (published by Hardie Grant)
In her most personal cookbook yet, ‘Around Our Table,’ Sprouted Kitchen’s Sara Forte shares recipes designed for all of life’s moments, from big celebrations to the quiet times of need. These Chicken Parmesan Meatballs are a perfect example: a more structured take on her classic turkey meatballs from ‘Bowl + Spoon,’ crafted to be an ‘easy sell’ for picky kids and a nourishing gift for new moms.
3 cloves garlic, grated
1 teaspoon fennel seed, roughly chopped
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1⁄2 teaspoon sea salt
1⁄2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
1 large egg
1⁄3 cup / 55g panko
1⁄3 cup / 35g grated Parmesan
1⁄3 cup / 7g well-chopped flat-leaf parsley + more for garnish
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil + more for cooking
1 pound / 450g ground chicken, dark meat included
FOR THE POLENTA
1 cup / 200g polenta
Salt and pepper
2 cups / 475ml water
2 cups / 475ml milk
2 tablespoons salted butter
1 (24-ounce / 680g) jar of marinara
6 ounces / 170g mozzarella, shredded or torn
1⁄2 cup / 50g grated Parmesan + more for finishing
FOR THE CHARD
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
3 cloves of garlic, sliced thin
1 large bundle rainbow chard, chopped
Salt and pepper
Squeeze of lemon
Chopped parsley, for serving
Serves 4–6
In a large mixing bowl, combine the garlic, fennel seed, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, egg, panko, Parmesan, parsley, and oil. Stir to mix well. Add the ground chicken and fold everything in to combine. Let this mixture rest for 15 minutes or in the fridge for up to a day.
Start the polenta. In a large pot over medium heat, combine the polenta, salt, pepper, and water, stir and simmer for 15 minutes. Turn the heat to low, add the milk and continue to simmer, stirring occasionally, for 15 more minutes. We want it to be loose; it firms up as it cools, so add more water or milk for desired consistency. Stir in the butter and taste for seasoning. Cover and set aside.
Preheat the oven to 475°F / 245°C. Warm a thin layer of oil in an ovenproof skillet over medium heat. Form the chicken mixture into small balls and, once the oil is hot, sear the balls. About 3 minutes per side until the outsides are just golden (these can also be roasted for 15 minutes). Turn the heat to low, pour the marinara over the balls, and stir gently. Let the marinara warm up for a few minutes. Put a piece of the mozzarella on top of each ball, plus a sprinkle of Parmesan, and put the pan in the oven for 6 to 8 minutes until the cheese is just golden.
For the chard, heat the oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the garlic and let it cook for 30 seconds until fragrant. Add the chard and sauté for 2 to 3 minutes. Sprinkle with salt and pepper, a squeeze of lemon, and set aside off the heat.
Assemble your bowls. Make a pillow of polenta, add a few meatballs with sauce, and put some chard on the side. Finish it all with some fresh herbs and a sprinkle of Parm.
MAKE AHEAD
Do the searing or roasting step, cover them in the marinara, and keep covered in the fridge a day in advance. To finish, bring the dish to room temperature, add the cheese, and add 5 more minutes to the baking step. To freeze, cook them all the way through during that searing step, cool, cover them in sauce, then package and freeze them.
CHANGE IT UP
Dairy free: You can get away without using the cheese; just increase the panko to 1⁄2 cup / 65g and skip the cheese topping. Use a nondairy milk and butter in the polenta.
Gluten free: Almond meal or gluten-free breadcrumbs may be used as a substitute for the panko. I would suggest keeping the balls small.
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May 12, 2025 | Posted in:
Susie’s Spoon Bread
Submitted by: Bonnie B.
Recipe origin: Southern United States
“When Nana was a little girl, she would often visit Aunt Sis and her husband, Millard Robert Ford (called “Unks”). They lived on Old Court Road in Pikesville adjoining the Suburban Golf Course. The house is no longer there. In the summer, Aunt Sis would make lemonade to sell to the golfers along with delicious homemade ice cream.
Nana lived with Aunt Sis for several years during her teenage years. While living there, Nana worked for the telephone company starting in 1926. Years later, after Unks died, Aunt Sis moved to Ocean City, where we visited
her many times. She died in 1975 at the age of 85. The following recipe was one of her favorites. It was a prize-winning recipe that was given to her many years before.”
1 heaping tbsp. butter
3 pts. (6 c.) boiling water
1 heaping tbsp. Crisco
1 pt. (2 c.) cornmeal
1 tsp. salt
2 eggs, well beaten
1. Preheat oven to 350°.
2. Put the butter into a baking dish (casserole dish) and place in oven for dish
to get hot.
3. Bring water and Crisco to a boil.
4. Stirring briskly, mix in cornmeal and salt until all lumps have disappeared.
5. Mix in 2 well-beaten eggs.
6. Pour into hot baking dish and bake about 30 minutes or until it appears as a
well-browned custard.
7. Serve hot.
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March 17, 2025 | Posted in:
Pastitsio II (Baked Macaroni with Meat)
Submitted by: The Ladies Philoptochos Society of Saint Sophia
Recipe origin: Greece
“The Ladies Philoptochos Society of Saint Sophia would like to share with you our Pastitsio II (Baked Macaroni with Meat) recipe that appears on page 117 of our cookbook. The recipe was introduced by renowned Greek Chef Nicholas Tselementes in the mid-1930’s who converted a very old recipe of a pasta and meat pie wrapped in phylo into a hearty, delicious casserole of layers of pasta, meat, cheeses and bechamel sauce. This is a version of his recipe. Since it’s publication, pastitsio has graced countless family dinners, party buffets, Greek festival and restaurant menus. You will enjoy making this tasty yet simple to make dish.”
Meat Mixture:
2 lb ground beef
1 large onion, chopped
1 stick (½ cup) butter
2 Tbsp tomato paste
1 Tbsp allspice
Salt and pepper to taste
Macaroni:
1 lb (No. 4) macaroni
1 stick (½ cup) melted butter
¾ lb grated Romano cheese
Crema Sauce:
5 cups milk
5 eggs, beaten
1 cup milk, mixed with 5 Tbsp cornstarch
2 Tbsp butter
Prepare the Meat Mixture:
In a pan, sauté the onion in 1 stick of butter until softened.
Add the ground beef and brown well.
Stir in the tomato paste, allspice, salt, and pepper.
Simmer for about 20 minutes until thickened. Set aside.
Prepare the Crema Sauce:
In a saucepan, bring 5 cups of milk to a simmer, stirring constantly.
Before it reaches a boil, slowly stir in the milk-cornstarch mixture.
As the sauce thickens, gradually add the beaten eggs while stirring continuously.
Once thickened, remove from heat and set aside.
Cook the Macaroni:
Boil the macaroni according to package directions, making sure not to overcook. Drain.
Mix the drained macaroni with ½ pound of grated cheese, 1 stick of melted butter, and 1 cup of the prepared Crema Sauce.
Assemble the Pastitsio:
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
Butter a 10″ x 15″ baking dish.
Spread half of the macaroni mixture in the dish and sprinkle with cheese.
Evenly distribute the meat mixture over the first macaroni layer, then sprinkle with more cheese.
Add the remaining macaroni mixture and sprinkle with more cheese.
Pour the remaining Crema Sauce over the top.
Bake:
Bake at 350°F for 45 minutes or until golden brown.
Let cool slightly, cut into portions, and serve.
Enjoy! 🍽️
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March 14, 2025 | Posted in:
Bobbie’s Sweet Potato Pie – A Classic Recipe for Pi Day
Submitted by: Regina T.
Recipe origin: Southern Cuisine
Pi Day (March 14th) is a celebration of the mathematical constant π (pi), but let’s be honest – it’s also the perfect excuse to indulge in a delicious slice of pie! What better way to mark the occasion than with a comforting homemade recipe that has been passed down through generations?
This Sweet Potato Pie is a true classic, rich with warm spices and a buttery, smooth texture that makes every bite a taste of home. Whether you’re celebrating Pi Day or just craving something comforting and delicious, this recipe is sure to become a favorite!
1 pound sweet potatoes (baked)
1 stick butter
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1/8 tsp cinnamon
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup evaporated milk
1 (9-inch) deep dish pie shell
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Prick the pie shell with a fork several times to prevent air pockets from forming. In a mixing bowl, mash the baked sweet potatoes until smooth. Add the butter and mix well. Stir in the sugar, eggs, nutmeg, cinnamon, vanilla extract, and evaporated milk. Mix until fully combined. Pour the mixture into the prepared pie shell. Bake for 1 hour, or until the pie is golden brown and set in the center. Let cool before serving. Enjoy!
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