Recipe Spotlight: Cheesy Meatball Subs, Apple & Brie Spinach Salad, and Crispy Parmesan Oven Fries

Last night I made one of our favorite dinners- cheesy meatball subs with sauteed onions and peppers! We enjoyed the subs with a brie and apple spinach salad and crispy Parmesan oven fries. The wine of the night was Canyon Road Cabernet Sauvignon, a gift from our good friend Stefan for my birthday.

Apple and Brie Spinach Salad with Raspberry Vinaigrette
The creamy brie and crisp apples mingle beautifully with the sweet vinaigrette and fresh spinach. 
Serves 2

3-4 handfuls fresh spinach, or your favorite salad green
2 oz. triple cream brie, rind removed and separated into chunks
1 small green apple, chopped
1/4 c. vinaigrette salad dressing (we love Ken's Steakhouse reduced fat raspberry vinaigrette)

Combine all ingredients in a large bowl. Toss well. Top individual serving bowls with fresh cracked pepper, if desired.


Cheesy Meatball Subs
Classic meatballs smothered in cheese, topped with sauteed onions and peppers and served with marinara sauce- an Italian-American favorite. Serve with crispy Parmesan oven fries (recipe below!).

Serves 2

Preheat oven to 425 degrees and heat 1/4 c. olive oil in in large skillet over medium-low heat. 

For the meatballs:
1/2 lb. lean ground beef
1/4 c. Italian seasoned dried breadcrumbs
1/4 c. freshly grated Parmesan cheese
1 egg, whisked
1 tblsp. dried oregano
1 tblsp. minced garlic (about 2 cloves)
1 tblsp. Worcestershire sauce
1 tbslp. kosher salt
1 tbslp. pepper
1/4 onion, finely minced

For the sub:
1/2 onion, sliced
1/2 green pepper, sliced
4 slices fresh mozzarella cheese, or your favorite melting cheese
2 tblsp. olive oil
Pinch salt
2 hoagie buns, sliced lenghwise
1 c. prepared marinara sauce, warmed in microwave or on stovetop

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-low heat. Combine all ingredients in a large bowl. Gently work with hands until combined. Separate into golf-ball sized balls. Place in skillet and cook 3-4 minutes on all sides until cooked through.

Meanwhile, heat small skillet with 2 tblsp. olive oil over medium heat and sautee onions and peppers for five minutes until softened. Salt will help bring out the moisture to soften them quickly. Reserve. 

Assemble subs: Place 3-4 meatballs on bottom half of each hoagie.Top with a generous spoonful of the marinara sauce, veggies, then cheese. Place on a cookie sheet and cook in oven for 3-5 minutes, until cheese is melted. Keep an eye on it to ensure bread doesn't burn. (If you like a crispy sandwich place the top half in the oven with the bottom. Otherwise leave the top half out so it remains soft.)

Serve subs with a side of warm marinara sauce and crispy Parmesan fries.

Crispy Parmesan Oven Fries
An Italian-style steakhouse classic served with warm marinara sauce and extra Parmesan cheese. 
Serves 2


2 medium potatoes
1/4 c. olive oil
1 tbslp. dried oregano
1/2 tblsp. kosher salt
1/2 tblsp. steak seasoning
Warm marinara sauce, for dipping
Freshly grated Parmesan cheese, for serving

Preheat oven to 425 degrees with cookie sheet inside. 

Slice potatoes in half, and slice each half lengthwise into four fries. If potato is large slice each fry lengthwise again. Combine fries in bowl with all remaining ingredients except marinara and Parmesan cheese.

Carefully remove preheated cookie sheet, coat it with non-stick spray, and arrange fries on it cut side down.

Bake in oven for 30 minutes, turning once, until crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. Top immediately with plenty of freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Enjoy with warm marinara dipping sauce.

All above recipes written by Sarah Saubert

Canyon Road Cabernet Sauvignon- an affordable, smooth, easy-drinking weekday wine with lush berry flavors and a hint of vanilla.