Every week I make almost the same thing. Come Friday I make mashed potatoes and some variation of Chicken breast. Why? Because this is what the kids like, and me too.
It’s easy, delicious and consistent 🙂
Last week when I went shopping for groceries, there was a sale on Ground Medium Beef, and although I don’t like eating or working with beef that much (and you can tell, because there are almost no recipes here with beef) I decided to take the leap of faith in this ingredient, and try and make something really delish, so good I’ll regret not having it sooner.
I didn’t really think much (REALLY) and all of a sudden I find myself making meatballs.
I added veggies and made this super yummy red sauce, served on a bed of (of course) mashed potatoes and it was, in one word – Perfect.
How did I not try this before?? Could it be that I was working with the wrong kind of meat? This turned out perfect, and less work than I thought it’ll take.
The meatballs were full of flavor, they weren’t too dense nor too meaty. They blended really well with the sauce and to top this all up – the kids went crazy over the meatballs! They said it’s like the macaroni and meatballs without the macaroni. And to this I say “Grazie” (with my Italian accent).
- 500gr (about 1lbs) Ground Medium Beef
- ½ Carrot – Finely Grated
- ½ Onion – Grated
- 2 Tbsp Cilantro – Chopped
- ½ tsp Table Salt
- ½ tsp Ground Black Pepper
- ½ Tbsp Ground Cumin
- 1 Egg
- 3 Tbsp Bread Crumbs
- 1 Tbsp Vegetable Oil
- ½ Onion – Chopped
- 2 Garlic Cloves – Sliced
- ½ Tbsp Ground Cumin
- 8 Tbsp Tomato Paste
- 2½ Cups Hot Water
- 2 Tbsp Cilantro – Chopped
- Salt and Pepper to taste
- Place all the ingredients in a medium bowl and mix (knead if needed) until well combined.
- Using a tablespoon scoop ½ tablespoon at a time and roll into balls.
- Set aside in a plate and prepare the sauce.
- In a wide pot preheat the oil over medium heat and add in the chopped onion, garlic, cumin and tomato paste. Stir consistently until combined and then add the water.
- Stir well and add the cilantro, salt and pepper.
- Bring the sauce to a boil over medium heat. Once boils gently add in the meatballs.
- Once the meatballs are all in the sauce, lower the heat a bit to Medium-Low heat and cover the pot with a lid.
- Let cook with a closed lid for 30-35 minutes. If the sauce boils again, lower the heat a bit more during cooking.