Italian Mediterranean Buffalo

In Italy, it’s not uncommon to find calves grazing in the fields outside of Florence. When they’re ready for market, they’re raised on a diet of grain, hay and grasses until they reach maturity. That’s when they become bison! But this recipe is all about flavor rather than origin: I skipped the buffalo meat altogether and made a delicious pasta sauce with fresh ingredients right from my garden. The result was so good that my husband declared this dish his new favorite meal in our house—and even better than any Italian restaurant could ever hope to offer!

Ingredients

Ingredients are listed in order of quantity, with the ingredient that is used in the largest quantity at the top. This is a common approach when an ingredient list includes more than 3 or 4 ingredients. The second consideration is importance—the most important ingredients are listed first. A third consideration is use; when you’re using a product, you want to know what parts of your body will be affected by each ingredient and if it’s something that will absorb quickly or slowly into your skin. Finally, origin affects which ingredients are used—for example, some countries have stricter regulations for certain chemicals than others do (like parabens).

3 pounds ground buffalo

• Ground buffalo is a great source of protein.
• Buffalo meat is a good source of iron.
• Buffalo meat contains less fat and calories than beef, which makes it a healthier choice for those looking to lose weight.

1/2 cup minced onion (about 1 small onion)

• Mince the onion. To do this, place the onion on a cutting board and remove peel with a paring knife or a vegetable peeler. Then cut off roots, slice in half vertically from top to bottom, and remove the stem end of each half by cutting it off at an angle. Slice each half into thin slices lengthwise so that you end up with about 16 pieces of onion. Stack these pieces together and chop them across into small pieces (about 1/8 inch wide). Turn your chopping motion 90 degrees so that you make crosswise cuts instead of vertical cuts; then repeat until all edges are finely minced.
• Use leftover minced onion in omelets or soups; set aside for another use later in the week; or freeze for future meals that call for chopped onions but don’t need whole ones (this will keep them from going bad).

3/4 cup olive oil

2 tablespoons olive oil, divided

2 tablespoons olive oil, divided

• Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
• Brush the salmon with 1 tablespoon of olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Place skin-side up on a baking sheet and bake for 10 to 15 minutes or until just cooked through; do not overcook! Remove from oven, carefully transfer to a plate (use an oven mitt) then let cool slightly before slicing into uniform pieces or serving whole.
• In a small bowl, whisk together the lemon zest, garlic powder, oregano and remaining tablespoon of olive oil; set aside for at least 30 minutes before using on your next batch of Mediterranean dishes!

4 cloves garlic, minced

Garlic is a great source of vitamin B6 and manganese. It’s also a good source of selenium, vitamin A, calcium, iron and zinc.

Garlic contains allicin, which has been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties.

1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper, or to taste

• 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper, or to taste
• Crushed red pepper is an ingredient in this recipe. It is not specified how much crushed red pepper should be used, but the recipe does call for 1/4 teaspoon of it.

1/2 teaspoon salt

Salt is a mineral, the most common being sodium chloride, which occurs naturally and can be extracted from underground salt deposits. It’s also used in many other forms and products, such as table salt, sea salt and rock salt.

Salt is used for seasoning foods on its own or in combination with other flavorings like spices or herbs. It helps to draw out moisture from food during cooking so that it doesn’t get soggy while still retaining its natural moisture content. This keeps your Mediterranean buffalo tenderloin juicy when grilled outdoors after being seasoned with Jersey grass-fed meat seasonings (which include garlic powder).

The preservative qualities of sodium chloride help keep your buffalo tenderloins fresh longer than normal beef cuts such as porterhouse steak; this means you can enjoy authentic Mediterranean dishes like beef carpaccio at home without having to visit Italy every time!

1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

Italian seasoning is a mix of herbs and spices that can be used to flavor meat, poultry, fish, pasta and veggies. It’s made up of basil, oregano, thyme or marjoram (sometimes even rosemary). The blend is usually sold in bulk at gourmet stores and specialty shops. If you don’t want to buy the packaged variety—or if you’re making your own—here’s how:

• 1 Tablespoon dried basil leaves
• 1 Tablespoon dried oregano leaves
• 1/2 Teaspoon dried thyme leaves (optional)

9 ounces dried whole-grain spaghetti (or gluten-free spaghetti), uncooked

• Gluten-free spaghetti (or regular pasta, if you don’t need to avoid gluten)
• 1/2 cup olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• Salt and pepper to taste

2 cups pasta sauce (no sugar added)

You’ll need to use a sugar-free tomato-based sauce. The best options are sugar-free tomato paste, which you can find in the refrigerated section at most grocery stores; and sugar-free pasta sauce, which is available in many varieties and comes in jars or cans. I recommend keeping both on hand just so you have them for quick recipes like this one!

2 tablespoons minced fresh basil leaves

2 tablespoons minced fresh basil leaves

• The herb basil is a member of the mint family, and like mint it has a slightly spicy taste. Basil is used in many Mediterranean dishes (including Italian dishes) to enhance the flavor of the tomatoes and other vegetables that are most commonly used in cooking there. In Italy, where I live, people love to use basil in their pasta sauces or on pizza with tomato sauce. You can also add it as a garnish to soups and salads.

If you’re looking for a quick and tasty meal, this Italian Mediterranean buffalo meatball recipe is the perfect solution. It’s easy to make, takes little time, and tastes great! With only five ingredients needed—ground buffalo, minced onion (about 1 small onion), olive oil (2 tablespoons), minced garlic (4 cloves), crushed red pepper flakes (1/4 teaspoon)—you can whip up a delicious meal in no time at all.