Scooby-Do Where are You: Case of the Missing Meatball

Recently we were introduced to stromboli.  We had never previously tried a stromboli and for that matter even heard of a stromboli.  It seems there are a few different interpretations of a stromboli as with any dish these days.  But to keep things simple, think of it as a big turnover filled with savory meats and veggies.  It is very similar to a calzone, but instead of a half-moon shape, a stromboli is rolled like a log and then sliced.

Our introduction to stromboli was at a local pizza joint Ballard Pizza Company as documented in a previous blog post here.  Everyday they have a stromboli of the day.  We decided to order the meatball stromboli, which was a featured item and when described to us sounded really good.  It turned into a Scooby-Do mystery however -- case of the missing meatballs.   We decided to take this case on and try solving the case of the missing meatball.

Scooby:  "Rut-ro Shaggy...no meatballs"
Shaggy:  "Gulp"
Velma:  "I've got only one Scooby snack left"
Fred:  "Let's split up and look for clues"

Here's the process and recipe we came up with (combination of several different recipes).  The result tasted delicious.  Our issue (which was just fine) is we had too many meatballs (ironic really or overcompensating) so our final product came out looking more like a calzone vs. stromboli. Stromzone or calboli perhaps?

Recommendation:  save some of the meatballs and filling to make spaghetti the next day (2 meals in one).

Fred:  "If we figure that out, we'll be half-way towards solving the mystery"
Shaggy:  "I'm starved, is there a kitchen somewhere near?"
Velma:  "Shaggy, I think you'd rather just eat instead of helping us look for clues"

RoJo Stomboli

Meatball Ingredients:
1/2 pound each of ground veal, pork and beef (the trifecta of meat)
1 c. minced sweet yellow onion
2 Tbs minced garlic
1 tsp each onion powder, thyme, fennel and lemon pepper
1/2 tsp salt and smoked paprika
1 TBS olive oil for cooking (do not add to the meat)

Veggies:
1 jalepeno
1 red pepper
1 yellow pepper (color does matter)
1 small sweet yellow onion
1 TBS olive oil for cooking

Dough:
Your favorite pizza dough recipe or ask your local pizza joint to sell some to you
1/2 c. flour to roll-out dough
1 egg white (whisked)
1/4 c. Parmasan cheese
Jar of pizza sauce
1 c. shredded mozzarella cheese

Scooby and Shaggy:  "I'm hungry"
Velma:  "I think I've lost my glasses again"
Fred:  "The girls and I will go this way, Scoob and Shaggy you check out the basement."

Step One:  Make your favorite pizza dough (or if you want a short-cut buy some at your local pizza joint).

Step Two:  Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.  Grease a large baking sheet and set aside.

Step Three:  Making the Meatballs

In a bowl mix all of the meatball ingredients together until just combined (do not over mix).  It's easiest to just get in there with your hands.  Then form the meatballs into golf sized balls.  

Over medium heat, add the olive oil to a large frying pan.  Cook the meatballs for 10 minutes (do not over crowd the pan or they won't get nice and brown) turning half way through the cooking time.  Place the meatballs on a paper towel lined plate and allow them to cool slightly and slice in half.

Step Four:  Cook the Veggies

Wash and then slice the peppers and onions.  Dice the jalepeno into small pieces.

Place the oil in the pan and over med heat sautee the vegetables until they are just softened.  Set aside and allow to cool.

Step Five:  Preparing the Dough

Take dough and place on a lightly floured surface.  Using a rolling pin (dusted with flour) roll dough into a rectangular shape.
  

Next spread the pizza sauce onto the dough evenly with a spatula.  

Step Six:  Assembly of the Stromboli

Once the meatballs and vegetables are cooled a little and the dough is rolled out add the meatballs along the long edge in two rows.
  

Happy little soldiers!

Then layer on the veggies onto of the meatballs.  Sprinkle the mozzarella cheese on top of the veggies. In theory at this point, you should be able to roll the  dough lengthwise so you have a long roll.
  

We had too much filler and not enough dough so ours became shaped like a calzone.

Step Seven:  Final Touches

Once the stromboli has been rolled, carefully lift it onto a greased cookie sheet.  Brush the top of the stromboli with the whisked egg white (this will help it to brown) and top with parmesan cheese.  Place in the oven (400 degrees) and bake for 20 minutes or until golden brown.  Take the stromboli out of the oven and allow to stand for 10 minutes.  Then slice, serve and enjoy.
  

You can serve the stromboli with additional pizza sauce on the side.  We had a nice caprese salad with ours.

Daphne: "Jeepers, would you do it for a scooby snack?"

Fred:  "I feel like a side of beef"

Velma:  "Jinkies"

Scooby:  "Ree hee hee"

Shaggy:  "Like zoinks man we've solved another mystery"

Scoobs:  "Rats Roovy"

Aloha!  Live life with flavor and fun!