MEALS WITH MEATBALLS RECIPES

Steps:

• 1. If your meat is not already minced, whiz it up in a food processor to the required consistency and place it in a bowl.
  2. Use the food processor to turn the bread into breadcrumbs, then add to the meat.
  3. Bash up the cumin seeds and dried chilli in a pestle and mortar, and pick and finely chop the rosemary leaves. Add to the mince with the dried oregano and egg yolk. Season well with sea salt and black pepper.
  4. At this stage you could add your optional ingredients (peeling and finely chopping the onion and garlic first, then cooked together gently in 1 tablespoon of oil until tender and allowed to cool).
  5. Mix well, and, with wet hands, roll and pat into meatballs the size and shape you want (cook straight away or put on greaseproof paper and refrigerated for up to a day.)
  6. Preheat the oven to 200°C/400°F/gas 6 and heat a thick-bottomed casserole pan on the hob.
  7. Swirl 4 tablespoons of oil around the pan and add your meatballs. Fry until brown all over, being careful not to break them up.
  8. Turn the heat down and cover with the Basic tomato sauce, pick the basil leaves and tear in fresh basil, tear over the mozzarella and finely grate over the Parmesan.
  9. Cook in the oven for about 15 to 20 minutes, or until the cheese is golden.

Steps:

• Heat the slow cooker if necessary. Heat the oil in a non-stick frying pan and add the onion, carrots, celery and garlic and fry gently for a minute. Pour in the passata, add the parsley and stir, then transfer the lot to the slow cooker.
• To make the meatballs, tip the mince into a large bowl. Add the oats, paprika, garlic and plenty of black pepper, and mix everything together with your hands. Divide the mixture into 20 lumps about the size of a walnut and roll each piece into a meatball. Spray or run a non-stick pan with a little oil and gently cook the meatballs until they start to brown. Add them to the tomato base and cook on Low for 5 hours. Serve over rice or pasta if you like, or with a green salad.