I made some Italian sausage meat balls the other day and I felt like I needed to add a binder. I had no bread crumbs on hand, but I did have some oat meal. To my surprise a few raisins had somehow gotten into the box of oatmeal and then found their way into the balls of sausage. I didn’t realize it until I bit into one of the meat balls and discovered it. Some good ideas come about as mistakes or surprises, and I think this is one.

Ingredients

1 pound breakfast sausage
1/2 – 1 cup finely chopped fresh spinach
1-3 green onions finely chopped
1-2 eggs
1/2 cup or so oatmeal
1/2 cup cotija cheese
1/2 – cup raisins

Directions

Preheat oven to 350.

Break the sausage up in a large mixing bowl and allow to stand a half hour or so to warm up a bit. It’s easier to work when it’s not cold. Add the other ingredients and mix with your hand until consistently blended.

Form balls about the size of ping pong balls or slightly larger and place on baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Make sure at least one or two raisins get in each ball.

Place in oven and cook until slightly browned. Continue until cooked through. Allow to stand 5 minutes before serving.