Lunch: Chorizo and Ricotta Meatballs

This recipe includes fertility superfoods such as:

Cinnamon, Apple Cider Vinegar

Health and fertility benefits of Chorizo and Ricotta Meatballs

Cinnamon is one of the best ingredients that someone with insulin sensitivity can eat. Half a teaspoon of cinnamon per day has been shown to be very effective at normalizing blood sugar levels. Cinnamon contains hydroxychalcone, which is thought to enhance the effects of insulin. It has also been suggested that Cinnamon prevents post-meal blood sugar spikes by slowing the gastric emptying rate - meaning that food digests slowly. (Reference: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11506060). Apple cider vinegar will improve your body's sensitivity to insulin (Reference: http://care.diabetesjournals.org/content/27/1/281.full)

Ingredients

2 1/4 cups sugar
1 1/4 cups distilled white vinegar
1 cup apple cider vinegar
1/4 cup kosher salt
1 tablespoon mustard seeds
1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
3/4 teaspoon celery seeds
1/2 teaspoon turmeric
6 allspice berries, plus a pinch of ground allspice
6 whole cloves, plus a pinch of ground cloves
One 1-inch piece cinnamon stick
2 1/2 pounds red onions, julienned

Instructions

For the pickled red onions: Combine the sugar, white vinegar, cider vinegar, salt, mustard seeds, red pepper flakes, celery seeds, turmeric, allspice, cloves and cinnamon in a medium saucepan and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Pack the red onions into jars or place them in a nonreactive bowl and cover with hot pickling liquid. Cover and refrigerate overnight. For the mole sauce: Stem and seed the ancho, guajillo and arbol chiles. Heat the oil in a large pot and fry the chiles to crisp and toast the skin. Remove the chiles and set aside. Add the cloves, garlic, cinnamon and onion to the pot and fry until brown. Remove and hold with the chiles. Add the bread, peanuts and sesame seeds and fry until brown. Return all the fried ingredients to the pot and stir in the chocolate. Transfer to a blender and puree, adding enough chicken stock to thin to a smooth paste. Season with salt. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. For the meatballs: With your fingers, mix together the pork, ricotta, salt, parsley, garlic, smoked paprika, sambal oelek and egg in a bowl. Take care not to knead the meat or overmix. When everything is incorporated, roll into 2 1/2-ounce balls. Set the meatballs on a lightly oiled baking sheet and bake until cooked through, about 10 minutes. Meanwhile, transfer the mole sauce to a saucepan and set over low heat to heat through. Serve the meatballs topped with warm mole sauce and pickled red onions. Garnish with Cotija and cilantro.
NotesThis recipe was provided by a chef, restaurant or culinary professional and may have been scaled down from a bulk recipe. The Food Network Kitchens have not tested it for home use and therefore cannot make any representation as to the results.

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