Lamb meatballs with Neapolitano sauce
A stand-out Italian inspired rice and meatballs recipe.
Ingredients
- 30 ml (2 tbsp) oil
- 1 onion, very finely chopped
- 15 ml (1 tbsp) freshly ground cumin
- 15 ml (1 tbsp) freshly ground coriander seeds
- 2 slices white bread, crusts removed, soaked in milk
- 500 g lean mutton mince
- ½ bunch chopped fresh coriander
- 1 whole green chilli, finely chopped
- 1 egg plus 1 yolk
- 7,5 ml (1½ tsp) salt
- 50 ml olive oil
- 1 onion finely diced
- 125 ml (½ cup) finely dice celery
- 125 ml (½ cup) grated carrots
- 3 cloves garlic, crushed
- 10 ml (2 tsp) tomato paste
- 175 ml white wine
- 1 X 410 g can chopped tomatoes
- 15 ml (1 tbsp) sugar
- 30 ml (2 tbsp) chopped parsley
- salt and pepper to taste
- grated Parmesan cheese
- fresh coriander
Meatballs
Neapolitano sauce
Method
- Preheat the oven to 200 °C.
- Saut the onion until translucent (do not brown).
- Add the spices (cumin and coriander).
- Remove from heat and allow to cool.
- Drain as much liquid as possible out of the bread
- Mixed all ingredients, together with the cooled onion mixture.
- Mix well allowing for all ingredients to blend together.
- Place in the fridge for 30 minutes.
- Roll into meatballs 30 mm in diameter.
- Place on an oven tray and grill/bake until slightly brown.
- Heat the oil over medium-high heat.
- Saut the onion, celery and carrot mixture.
- Add the garlic and brown lightly.
- Add the tomato paste and stir for 30 seconds, taking care not to burn.
- Add the white wine and allow the mixture reduce by 1/3.
- Add the canned tomatoes, sugar and parsley.
- Simmer on a low heat for 20-25 minutes.
- Blend lightly with a stick blender.
- Season with salt and black pepper
- Gently place meatballs into the pan containing the tomato mixture.
- Simmer for 5-10 minutes.
- Garnish with fresh coriander and grated Parmesan cheese and serve with Spekko Rice
Meatballs:
Spekko Long Grain Parboiled Rice to serve: