Spanish Meatballs Jamie Oliver Recipes

MEATBALLS

Steps:

• If your meat is not already minced, whiz it up in a food processor to the required consistency and place it in a bowl. Use the food processor to turn the slices of bread into bread crumbs. Add the bread crumbs, dried oregano, cumin, coriander, chile, rosemary, and egg to the minced meat and season with a good pinch of salt and a good twist of black pepper. Mix well, and with wet hands, roll, and pat into meatballs the size and shape you want. (These can be cooked straight away or put on greaseproof paper, covered with plastic wrap and refrigerated for up to 1 day.)
• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C/gas 6).
• Preheat a thick-bottomed casserole to a very hot temperature. Add 3 to 4 tablespoons of olive oil, swirl around the bottom of the pan, and add your meatballs. Fry them until they are brown all over, being careful not to break them up but just moving the pan around so that all sides of the meatballs get nicely colored.
• Meanwhile, to make your tomato sauce, fry the onion and garlic in a little oil. Add the dried oregano and tomatoes, rip in the basil leaves, season, and gently simmer for a few minutes. Turn the heat down, and pour over the meatballs with the mozzarella and grated Parmesan. Drizzle with olive oil and cook in the oven for about 15 to 20 minutes, until the cheese is golden. Serve with the cooked and drained spaghetti.

SPANISH MEATBALLS

Steps:

• Add breadcrumbs, milk, and finely chopped onion to a large bowl; stir until well combined and let stand 5 minutes.
• To breadcrumb mixture, add pork, beef, eggs, salt, pepper, nutmeg and parsley. Knead mixture gently until thoroughly combined (do not overwork or your meatballs will be tough). Cover and refrigerate while you make the sauce (about 40 minutes).
• Meanwhile, in a medium saucepan heat 1 tablespoon of the olive oil over medium heat until hot. Add onion and carrot; cook and stir until softened and starting to brown, 5-7 minutes. Add paprika, tomatoes plus 1/4 cup of their juice and brandy. Increase heat to high; cook and stir 1 minute, or until reduced slightly. Stir in wine and chicken stock and bring to boil; reduce heat to medium-low. Partially cover and simmer 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Season with salt to taste.
• Puree half of the sauce in a standard blender and return to saucepan. Or puree half of the sauce right in the saucepan with an immersion blender. Place over low heat to keep warm while you prepare the meatballs. (Add chicken stock as needed if sauce is getting too thick.)
• To make the meatballs, spread a thin layer of flour on a large plate and set a parchment lined rimmed baking sheet nearby. Use a teaspoon or 1-tablespoon scoop to portion meatball mixture into about 1 1/4-inch diameter ragged portions and place side by side on baking sheet. Gently roll each ragged portion between between cupped hands into a ball, returning meatballs to baking sheet as you go. Then gently roll each meatball in flour, shaking off any excess and return to baking sheet.
• Heat 1 tablespoon of the olive oil in a large, non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. Add half of meatballs and brown on all sides, 3 to 5 minutes. Transfer browned meatballs to bowl. Repeat with remaining olive oil and meatballs.
• Add 1/3 cup water to empty skillet; cook and stir, scraping up any brown bits and add to sauce.
• Add browned meatballs and any accumulated liquid to sauce and gently stir to combine; bring to simmer. Reduce heat to low and cover; simmer 5 to 7 minutes to cook meatballs through completely. Remove from heat to cool slightly, about 5 minutes. Transfer meatballs and sauce to cazuela or other shallow serving bowl and garnish with fresh parsley. Serve.