MEATBALL WITH SPAGHETTI RECIPES

Steps:

• Bring a big pot of salted water to a boil for the spaghetti. Heat 3 tablespoons oil in an ovenproof skillet over medium heat. Add the onion, garlic, and parsley and cook until the vegetables are soft but still translucent, about 10 minutes. Take the pan off the heat and let cool. 
• Pour enough milk over the bread in a bowl to moisten and let it soak while the onions are cooling. Combine the meats in a large bowl. Add the egg and Parmigiano and season generously with salt and pepper. Use your hands to squeeze the excess milk out of the bread and add that to the bowl along with the cooled onion mixture. (Hang onto the pan - you'll need it to cook the meatballs.) Gently combine all the ingredients with your hands or with a spoon until just mixed together. Don't overwork or the meatballs will be tough. Divide into 10 equal pieces and shape them into 10 nice looking meatballs. 
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. 
• Heat a 3-count of oil in the frying pan over medium heat and brown the meatballs on all sides, about 10 minutes. Put them into a baking dish and spoon about half of the tomato sauce over. Shower with the mozzarella and drizzle with olive oil. Put the meatballs in the oven and bake until the meatballs are cooked through, about 15 minutes. 
• Meanwhile, cook the spaghetti in the boiling water until al dente, about 8 minutes. Drain and put it onto a large serving platter. Pour on the rest of the sauce and mix well. Spoon the meatballs on top of the spaghetti and garnish with basil leaves. Serve immediately along with extra cheese. 
• Heat the olive oil in a large saucepan over medium-low heat. Add the onion and garlic and cook until the vegetables are soft, 4 to 5 minutes. Carefully add the tomatoes (nothing splashes like tomatoes) and about 1/2 cup of the reserved liquid and season with salt and pepper. Cook until the sauce is thick, about 15 minutes. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Bring to a boil, stirring for a few minutes with a wooden spoon to further break up the tomatoes. Reduce the heat and let simmer for 20 to 25 minutes. Stir in the fresh basil and season again.

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.