American Style Meatballs

Created in an American style with a fresh but slightly smoky flavour.

Prep Time

30 mins

Cook Time

30 mins

Servings

4 people

Ingredients

• 2 medium onions
• 5 tbsp oil
• 2 large cloves of garlic
• 3 tbsp tomato puree
• 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
• 2 tsp oregano
• 1 tsp chilli paste
• 250ml beef stock
• 2 400g tins of tomatoes
• 1 tsp brown sugar
• 1 tbsp fresh thyme
• 2 bacon rashers
• 350g steak mince
• Handful of crushed tortilla chips
• 1 tsp mixed herbs
• 1 egg
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• Fresh basil leaves (for garnish)

Method

Step 1: Fry Aromatics

Chop the onions and garlic and fry in 3 tbsp of the oil till lightly browned.

Step 2: Reserve

Take half the onions and place in a bowl.

Step 3: Sauce Base

Add the tomato puree, balsamic vinegar, oregano and chilli paste to the remaining onions in the pan.

Step 4: Simmer

Add the stock, tomatoes, sugar, thyme, 1/4 tsp of the salt and 1/4 tsp of the pepper. Leave on a low heat to simmer.

Step 5: Prep Bacon

Finely chop the bacon and add to the onion mixture in the bowl.

Step 6: Mix

Add the mince, crushed tortilla chips, mixed herbs, egg, 1/4 tsp of the salt and 1/4 tsp of the pepper.

Step 7: Roll Meatballs

Mix by hand and roll into large meatballs, place in a pan with 2 tbsp of the oil.

Step 8: Brown

Turn the meatballs regularly to brown them on all sides.

Step 9: Combine

Add the meatballs to the tomato sauce and simmer for 20 mins, stirring occasionally.

Step 10: Serve

Serve with pasta and a fresh basil garnish.

Alternatives

Before serving, grate some cheddar cheese over the meatballs and pasta and place under the grill until the cheese is bubbling and begins to brown.