Among the many foodstuffs getting recognition, there has been one glaring omission. The beloved meatball has been totally overlooked. For the millions who cherish this easy comfort food and its many round companions, Balls! now gives this perennial favorite center stage.

Award-winning food writer Angela Murrills offers up recipes for all kinds of balls, from meatballs osso bucco to black bean balls with spicy sauce. Balls! does not limit its interpretation of the round and tasty to the meatball. There are chapters on fish balls, vegeta-balls, fancy balls, sweetie balls and, of course, ballistic cocktails. Along with recipes, there are little-known facts about all things round -- and anecdotes, too.

Recipes include:

• Pecan-crusted chicken balls with chutney dip
  
• Minty lamb meatballs with zippy dipping sauce
  
• Sushi style crab balls
  
• Black bean balls with spicy sauce
  
• Arancini (Sicilian rice balls)
  
• Melon ballet
  
• Keftedes (Greek meatballs)
  
• Gâteau St. Honoré de Balzac.

Discover how different nations have embraced this shape with its undeniable global appeal -- from a classic French birthday cake to spicy Asian fishballs to the Italian meatball. Have a ball (who could resist this line?) cooking up this simple yet scrumptious fare.