Spinach-cheese Balls With Pasta Sauce

Total Time: 56 mins Preparation Time: 20 mins Cook Time: 36 mins

Ingredients

• Servings: 8
• 1 (9 ounce) box frozen spinach
• 1 egg, slightly beaten
• 1 cup shredded parmesan cheese
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano leaves
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 1 (15 ounce) container ricotta cheese
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• vegetable oil, for deep frying
• 3/4 cup italian style breadcrumbs
• 1 (25 1/2 ounce) jar organic garden pasta sauce with vegetables, heated

Recipe

• 1 remove frozen spinach from pouch; place in colander. rinse with warm water until thawed; drain well. squeeze spinach dry with paper towel.
• 2 meanwhile, in large bowl, mix egg, both cheeses, salt, onion powder, garlic powder, oregano, sour cream, oil and ricotta cheese until well blended. add spinach to cheese mixture; mix well. stir in flour, 1 cup at a time, until well blended.
• 3 fill 10-inch skillet half full with oil; heat over medium heat until candy/deep-fry thermometer reads 350°f (or use deep fryer, add oil to fill line and heat to 350°f.).
• 4 place bread crumbs in small bowl. shape spinach-cheese mixture into 1-1/2 inch balls (about 40), using about 1-1/2 tablespoons for each; roll in bread crumbs and place on cookie sheet.
• 5 fry (6) balls at a time for 4 to 6 minutes, turning as necessary, until golden brown. with slotted spoon, remove balls from skillet; place on paper towels to drain. cool 2 minutes before serving; serve with warm pasta sauce for dipping.