In today’s edition of Reel Food, I’m taking a page out of Amanda Yee’s book Friends: The Official Cookbook, which came out in 2020, and am trying one of her recipes. There are other unofficial Friends cookbooks, but I wanted to try the ‘official one.’ I’ll address the question I already hear you asking. Yes, it includes Rachel’s tragic triple recipe from Thanksgiving, with a twist.

The book is broken down into sections including Monica’s Blue Cupboard Essentials, Sides (mmm…Noodle Soup), Appetizers (milk that you chew), Sandwiches, Pizza and Pasta, Main Dishes, Sweets and Desserts, and more. With each recipe, Yee walks you through the episode that the recipe is connected to. In some cases, food is mentioned on Friends, but not eaten. such as Blue Fingernail in the Quiche.

I decided to try Joey’s Meatball Sub, which came from Season 5, Episode 20, “The One With the Ride-Along.” In this episode, Joey, Ross, and Chandler go on a ride-along with Phoebe’s boyfriend the cop. When ‘shots’ ring out, Joey turns to protect Ross, or so we think. We later find out that he was trying to protect his meatball sub, what he calls ‘the best sandwich ever.’ I love meatball subs so this was an easy choice for me.

I just made a few personal preference adjustments to this recipe. I’m not a fan of oregano, (Lisa, Italy called and wants you to revoke your card that says you’re Italian…LOL) so I only used a pinch. I cut back on the basil as well. However, I added garlic…a lot of it. My name is Lisa and I have a garlic problem. Oh and Amanda says to bake them, but I…just…can’t. I deep-fried them in olive oil. My mother deep-fried meatballs for years while others cook them in the sauce.

Otherwise, I followed the recipe to the letter. And, thanks to the red wine, I think, I can honestly say that this was delicious. The meatballs were very, very juicy. I didn’t skimp on mozzarella and used fresh mozz, not that shredded processed stuff.

So was Joey right that this was the best meatball sub ever? Yes and don’t make me prove it by saving it instead of you. LOL Only kidding, I’d save you if we were on a ride-along — maybe.