Cheesy Bread Balls In Tomato Sauce Recipes

CHEESE-STUFFED GARLIC DOUGH BALLS WITH A TOMATO SAUCE DIP

Steps:

• Heat 175ml water in a saucepan until steaming, then add the butter. Remove from the heat and leave to cool until the mixture is just warm (it should not be hot). Combine the flour, yeast, sugar and 1 tsp salt in a large bowl or stand mixer. Add the cooled butter mixture, and mix to a soft dough using a wooden spoon or the mixer. Knead for 10 mins by hand (or 5 mins using a mixer) until the dough feels bouncy and smooth. Transfer to an oiled bowl and cover with a clean tea towel. Leave somewhere warm to rise for 1½-2 hrs, or until doubled in size. Alternatively, leave to prove in the fridge overnight.
• Oil and line a baking sheet with baking parchment. Knock the air out of the dough, then knead again for several minutes. Flatten a small piece of dough (about 20g) into a disc, and put a cube of the mozzarella and a pinch of the gruyère into the middle of the disc. Enclose the cheeses with the dough, then roll into a ball. Transfer to the prepared baking sheet. Repeat with the remaining cheese and dough, placing the dough balls ½cm apart on the baking sheet - they should be just touching after proving. Cover with a clean tea towel and leave somewhere warm to rise for 30 mins.
• Meanwhile, make the garlic butter. Melt the butter in a small pan over a low heat, then stir in the garlic and rosemary. Remove from the heat and set aside until needed. Heat the oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Brush the risen dough balls with the garlic butter, then bake for 25-30 mins until the dough balls are cooked through and the middles are oozing.
• While the dough balls are baking, make the tomato sauce dip. Heat the oil in a saucepan and fry the garlic for 30 seconds. Tip in the passata, vinegar, sugar and chilli flakes, and simmer for 10 mins until thickened. Season to taste and stir in the basil. Brush the warm dough balls with any remaining garlic butter, then serve with the tomato sauce dip on the side for dunking.

CHEESY BREAD BALLS IN TOMATO SAUCE

Steps:

• Prepare the bread balls: Add the flour, lukewarm water, 1 1/2 teaspoons oil, the yeast and salt to the bowl of a stand mixer. Using the dough hook, knead on medium-high speed for 7 minutes, scraping the bottom of the bowl to distribute the ingredients as needed, until soft and elastic. Transfer to a medium, lightly oiled bowl, and brush the top of the dough with a little oil. Cover with a damp tea towel and let rise in a warm place for 1 hour, or until soft and pillowy.
• Meanwhile, prepare the sauce: Add the 1/3 cup/80 milliliters oil and garlic to a medium ovenproof skillet and heat over medium-low, gently frying for 4 to 5 minutes, until soft and fragrant. (You don't want the garlic to brown, so turn the heat down if necessary.) Transfer 3 tablespoons of the garlic-oil mixture to a small bowl and set aside.
• Add the tomatoes with their juices, oregano, basil, sugar and 1/4 teaspoon salt to the skillet and simmer over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, for 4 minutes. Add 2/3 cup/160 milliliters water, turn the heat to medium-low and continue to simmer for 15 minutes, stirring every now and then, until thickened slightly. Set aside.
• Meanwhile, cut the mozzarella into 20 cubes.
• Transfer the dough to a clean work surface and use a pastry cutter or sharp knife to cut it into 8 equal pieces.
• Use your hands to flatten each piece into a 2 1/2-inch/6 centimeter-wide round, then place a piece of mozzarella into the center. Fold the dough up and around, pinching the dough tightly to enclose the cheese. Turn the dough ball over, pinched side down, and use the palm of your hand to roll the dough against your work surface to make a smooth, neat ball.
• Transfer to a parchment-lined baking sheet (baking tray), and form the remaining dough balls, spacing them evenly apart as you place them on the baking sheet. Cover with a damp tea towel and leave to proof in a warm place for another 30 minutes.
• Heat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit/200 degrees Celsius. Brush the top of the dough balls with a little olive oil to coat, then bake for 10 minutes, or until golden brown. Set aside and heat the broiler (turn the oven grill setting to medium-high).
• Return the sauce to medium-high heat and bring to a simmer. Once simmering, add the baked bread balls to the sauce, and arrange the remaining cheese cubes around them. Transfer to the middle rack of the oven and broil (grill) for 2 to 4 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbling and the bread balls are nicely browned.
• Spoon the reserved garlic oil over the bread balls and season lightly with salt and pepper. Sprinkle with the extra oregano and basil, and serve right away.

CHEESY MEATBALLS IN SPICY TOMATO SAUCE

Steps:

• Cook the onion and bacon in a large bowl on high for 3-4 minutes approx 850W. Remove from microwave, add mince, breadcrumbs, parsley, egg, salt and pepper and mix well.
• Take 1 tablespoon of the mixture and flatten into a patty shape.
• Place a cube of cheese in the middle of the meat, fold meat to enclose cheese and roll to form a ball.
• Refrigerate meatballs for 10-15 minutes.
• Place meatballs in a 3 Litre casserole dish. Cook uncovered on medium to High approx 650W for 4-6 minutes. Turn meatballs over and cook for a further 4-6 minutes.
• Meanwhile combine the tomatoes, basil, tomato paste, chilli, garlic and salt and pepper in a bowl.
• Drain any excess fat from meatballs after cooking and pour the tomato mixture over par cooked and drained meatballs.
• Cook uncovered on medium high approx 650W for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Serve with on their own with crusty bread or over pasta.