Meatballs in a Tomato Sauce

A favourite in our house that I've been making since my son was a baby 18 years ago. Over the years I've changed it slightly and added a little chilli to make it for a more grown up palette, but feel free to exclude the chilli (or even add a little more if you prefer).

500g Minced beef

1 medium Onion, finely chopped

1tsp ground Garlic

1tsp dried Oregano

1tsp dried Mixed Herbs

1tsp Chilli powder

50g Breadcrumbs

1 Egg

2tbs Rapeseed oil

Sauce

1 Onion, roughly chopped

540g Passata sauce

2tbs Tomato purée

1tbs Balsamic vinegar

1tsp dried Oregano

1tsp dried Mixed Herbs

1tsp Sugar

1. In a blender, place your onion, Passata, tomato purée, balsamic vinegar, herbs & sugar.

2. Blitz all these together until smooth (alternatively you can put your sauce ingredients straight into your saucepan and use a stick blender).

3. Pour into a large saucepan. Bring to the boil then reduce to a simmer and cover with the lid whilst you make your meatballs.

4. In a large bowl, place your minced beef, onion, garlic, herbs, chilli, breadcrumbs and egg.

5. Mix together until thoroughly combined.

6. Form small balls (you should be able to get 30-40 out of this mixture).  I generally use a 15ml (tbs) measuring spoon to portion my mixture out before rolling them into balls and setting to one side.

7. Heat a little oil in a frying pan and fry your meatballs in batches of 8-10 until browned all over.  Don't add too many into the pan or they'll steam rather than brown.

8. Tip your browned meatballs into the sauce and gently shake the pan to submerge them.

9. Continue to fry the batches of meatballs until they're all browned and you've transferred them all into the sauce.

10. Simmer the sauce and meatballs, without the lid on, for 15-20 minutes until cooked through.  Try not to stir the meatballs as it may break them up, instead give the saucepan a shake every so often.

11. While your meatballs are cooking, you have time to bring a large saucepan of water to the boil and cook your spaghetti until 'al dente', then drain.

12. Serve the meatballs on a bed of spaghetti, sprinkled win some freshly grated Parmigiana Reggiano.

FREEZE: Once cooked, you can cool & freeze the sauce and meatballs for up to 3 months.  Allow to thoroughly defrost and then heat through gently in a saucepan until hot.  Serve with fresh pasta.

This is the perfect recipe to double up for another day's easy meal.

Apple & Sultana Chutney with a Chilli Kick

My basic apple & sultana chutney with a little bit of a 'kick'.  This is great to cook if you need to clear your head.  Remember to put the extractor fan on high though!

1.5kg Cooking Apples, cored and finely diced; no need to peel
750g Light Muscovado sugar
500g Sultanas
1 Medium white onion, finely chopped
1 Medium red onion, finely chopped
10ml Mustard seeds
10ml Ground Ginger
10ml Ground coriander
10ml Garlic powder
10ml dried Chilli flakes
5ml Salt
300ml Cider vinegar
300ml Red Wine Vinegar
150ml Balsamic Vinegar

1. In a large, heavy based pan, combine all the ingredients.

2. Bring to the boil, reduce the heat to medium and simmer, uncovered, for 45-60 minutes, stirring frequently until thick & syrup-like.  Remember to keep it moving every minute or so as it gets thicker to prevent it sticking to the pan.

3. Remove from the heat and leave to cool for a while.
4. Decant into hot, clean, sterilised jars and seal.

5. Store in a cool, dark place for 2-3 weeks for the flavours to develop fully before enjoying.

Quick Red Onion Relish

This is a great & quick dish to serve alongside any dish of meat, or even with some cheese & a wedge of bread.  Very versatile indeed!

2 Red onions
25g Butter
1 heaped Tsp Sugar
10ml Balsamic vinegar

1. Slice the onions.
2. Melt the butter in a saucepan.
3. Fry the onions until they soften.
4. Add the sugar and cook for a few minutes until the onions start to break down.
5. Add the balsamic vinegar and continue to cook further for a few minutes until the relish becomes sticky & syrup-like.
6. Serve hot as an accompaniment with a meal or allow to cool and serve with cheese & cold meats.

Sour Cherry Chutney

5ml Rapeseed oil

1 onion, finely sliced

1 x 350g jar Morello cherries in syrup

50ml Balsamic vinegar

50g Sultanas

1 star anise

1. Heat the oil and gently cook the onions for 10 minutes until transparent but not coloured.

2. Add the cherries (including the syrup), balsamic vinegar, sultanas and star anise.

3. Bring to the boil then simmer for 45 minutes until reduced and thickened.

4. Serve warm as an accompaniment to pork or duck.

You can also allow this to cool and serve with cheese, pâté or cooked meats.