Marinated meatballs

Delicious Meatballs with Tomato Sauce – A classic recipe that will delight your taste buds

Preparation time: 20 minutes
Cooking time: 30 minutes
Total time: 50 minutes
Number of servings: 4

Who doesn't love a steaming plate of delicious meatballs covered in a flavorful tomato sauce? This simple and tasty recipe is perfect for any occasion and is sure to bring a smile to your face. Meatballs are a dish that gathers family and friends around the table, being easy to prepare and extremely versatile. Whether you serve them with mashed potatoes, pasta, or a fresh salad, these little delicacies are always welcome.

The history of meatballs is fascinating and rich in traditions. They have been cooked in many cultures over time, each area having its own variation, but the essence remains the same: a combination of meat, herbs, and spices, all transformed into a juicy delicacy. Let’s see how you can prepare these flavorful meatballs!

Ingredients:
- 500 g ground meat (you can use pork, beef, or chicken, depending on your preference)
- 1 egg
- 1 slice of bread (soaked in water and squeezed)
- salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 large onion (finely chopped)
- 2 cloves of garlic (for the sauce)
- flour (for rolling the meatballs)
- 2 tablespoons of oil (for frying)
- 5 tablespoons of tomato juice
- 2 cups of water
- 2-3 bay leaves
- peppercorns, to taste
- 1 teaspoon of sugar (to balance the acidity of the sauce)
- 1 teaspoon of flour (to thicken the sauce)

Preparation:

1. Start by preparing the ingredients. Drain the soaked bread well and make sure the onion is finely chopped. These details are essential for achieving juicy and flavorful meatballs.

2. In a large bowl, combine the ground meat with the onion, egg, soaked bread, salt, and pepper. Mix well with your hands until all the ingredients are well incorporated. Don’t be afraid to get your hands dirty! This is part of the fun of cooking.

3. Once the mixture is homogeneous, form meatballs of equal size, about the size of a ping-pong ball. You can use a spoon to help you achieve uniform shapes.

4. Roll each meatball in flour, making sure they are evenly coated. This step will help the meatballs maintain their shape during frying.

5. Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. When the oil is hot, add the meatballs and fry them until golden on all sides. Do not overcrowd the skillet to ensure they fry evenly. If you have a smaller skillet, you can fry them in batches.

6. After the meatballs are fried, remove them to a plate and cover them with a towel to keep them warm while you prepare the sauce.

7. In the same skillet, add the 2 cloves of garlic with the skin on, allowing them to sauté lightly to release their flavors. Remove the garlic after a few minutes, leaving only its aroma in the skillet.

8. Put the meatballs back in the skillet and add the tomato juice, water, bay leaves, peppercorns, and sugar. Mix well to combine the ingredients.

9. Let the sauce simmer on low heat for about 20 minutes, covering the skillet with a lid. This will allow the meatballs to absorb the flavors of the sauce.

10. To thicken the sauce, mix 1 teaspoon of flour with a little water and add the mixture over the meatballs. Put the lid back on and let it simmer for another 5-10 minutes.

11. Once the sauce has thickened, turn off the heat and let the meatballs rest for a few minutes before serving.

Serving:
These delicious meatballs are best served with creamy mashed potatoes, a side of rice, or pasta. You can also add a fresh salad for a contrast of textures. Don’t forget a slice of fresh bread to savor the flavorful sauce!

Nutritional benefits:
Meatballs are an excellent source of protein, especially if you use lean meat. Onion and garlic not only add a delicious taste but also numerous health benefits, including antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties. Additionally, tomato sauce is a good source of lycopene, which can help protect cells.

Frequently asked questions:
- Can I use turkey meat for the meatballs?
Yes, turkey meat is a healthy choice and pairs very well with the spices in the recipe.

- What can I use instead of an egg?
If you want to make a vegan version, you can use a mixture of chia or flax seeds with water, which works excellently as a binding agent.

- Can I freeze the meatballs?
Absolutely! Meatballs can be frozen, either raw or cooked. Make sure to store them in airtight containers to prevent freezer burn.

Possible variations:
You can experiment with different herbs and spices, adding basil, oregano, or even chili pepper for a spicy note. If you want to add more vegetables, you can incorporate grated carrots or zucchini into the meat mixture.

Tips for a perfect result:
- Make sure the meat is well seasoned, but don’t overdo it with the salt, as the tomato sauce will add salt as well.
- Do a test with a small meatball before frying all of them to check if the taste and texture are as desired.
- If you prefer less fatty meatballs, you can bake them instead of frying. Place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake in a preheated oven at 180°C for 20-25 minutes.

With these delicious meatballs, every meal becomes a special occasion. Enjoy your meal!

 Ingredients: 500 ground meat 1 egg 1 slice of bread soaked in water salt, pepper 1 large onion garlic flourSauce: 2 cloves of garlic 2 tablespoons of oil 5 tablespoons of tomato juice 2 cups of water 2-3 bay leaves whole pepper 1 teaspoon of sugar 1 teaspoon of flour

 Tags:  marinated meatballs