nay nays adventure

Nope, today is not just March 9th, Oh no! It’s National Meatball Day!

Now, I’m not quite sure on how this day got started, but who can resist the idea of celebrating National Meatball Day?

For years, meatballs have taken a back seat to spaghetti but that is no longer he case thanks to the introduction of National Meatball Day — 

This unofficial holiday is the perfect day to celebrate those little orbs of meat that make so many dishes so special. So whether you like meatballs on your spaghetti, love Swedish meatballs or simply flip over meatball subs, then this holiday might just be the one that you want to celebrate.

Ingredients

For the meatballs

• 2 tbsp Olive oil
• 150g Onion, finely chopped
• 1 clove Garlic, crushed
• 900g Mince Beef
• 2 tbsp freshly chopped herbs, such as parsley/basil
• 1 Egg, beaten
• Salt and Pepper

For the tomato sauce

• 3 tbsp Olive Oil
• 110g Onion, sliced
• 1 Garlic clove, crushed
• 150g Mozzarella, grated
• 1 tsp caster Sugar
• 2 x 400g tins tomatoes
• 

Method

Heat two tablespoons of olive oil in a heavy saucepan over a gentle heat and add the onion and garlic. Cover and sweat for around four minutes, until soft and a little golden. Allow to cool.

 

In a bowl, mix the minced beef with the cold onion and garlic. Add the herbs and the beaten egg. Season the mixture with salt and pepper….
Now it’s time to get your hands dirty – dig in, scoop up and roll. Divide the mixture into approximately 24 round balls.

 

Meanwhile, it’s time to make the tomato sauce. Heat the oil in a saucepan. 

Add the sliced onion and the crushed garlic, cover, and sweat on a gentle heat until soft and pale golden.

 

 Add the tinned tomatoes, with all the juice, to the onion mixture. 

Season the contents with sugar, salt and pepper. Cook the tomatoes uncovered for approximately 30 minutes or until the tomato softens.

 

Whilst that’s bubbling away nicely, heat the meatball frying pan and cook the meatballs for about 10 minutes in about three tablespoons of olive oil. Making sure to flip them about a bit.

 

When they are cooked, put them into an ovenproof dish, pour in the tomato sauce and generously top with the grated mozzarella. Place under a preheated grill until the cheese has melted. 

 

Serve with spaghetti and Violá!

Bon appetit

nay nay x