Preparation Time
50 minutes
Serves
4
Nutrition
N/A
Puree
Blend some of the cooked meatballs with two tablespoons of the tomato sauce
Finger Food
Ensure the meatballs have cooled so that the cheese doesn’t burn when he bites into it.
Ingredients
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85g fine dry breadcrumbs
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2 tbsp milk
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600g fresh beef mince
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125g finely grates Parmesan cheese, plus extra for serving
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2 large garlic cloves, finely chopped
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1 egg, beaten
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3 onions, 1 grated and 2 thinly sliced
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2 tbsp finely chopped flat-leaf parsley
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1 tbsp dried mixed herbs
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100g mozzarella, cut into 12 x 1cm cubes
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2tbsp olive oil, plus extra for frying
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500ml passata
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Pinch of sugar
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Salt and pepper (omit salt for babies under one)
These melt-in-the-middle meatballs are tasty and easy to make, and will impress the whole family, including your baby
1. Mix together the breadcrumbs and milk in a bowl and set aside while you assemble the other ingredients.
2. Put the beef, Parmesan cheese, garlic, egg, grated onion, parsley, basil, mixed herbs, and salt and pepper to taste in a bowl. Add the breadcrumb mixture and use your hands to mix together.
3. Wet your hands and shape the mixture into 12 equal sized balls. Use your finger to make an indentation in the centre of each ball, push in a cube of mozzarella cheese and re-roll the meat into a smooth ball. Make sure the join is sealed, so that melting cheese doesn’t leak out during cooking. At this point the meatballs can be covered and chilled for up to 12 hours. Return to room temperature before frying.
4. Heat a thin layer of oil in a large frying pan. Add as many meatballs as will fit in the pan and fry for 3-5 minutes, until brown all over. Set aside and keep warm while cooking the remaining meatballs.
5. Heat two tablespoons of oil in a large saucepan or casserole dish. Stir in the sliced onions, reduce the heat to low and cook for 5-8 minutes, until golden brown. Add the passata and sugar and season with salt and pepper. Stir in the meatballs.
6. Bring to the boil, then reduce the heat, cover and simmer for 20-25 minutes, or until the meatballs are cooked through when you cut one open. Adjust the seasoning of the sauce, if necessary. Serve immediately on warmed plates, sprinkled with Parmesan cheese.
This dish is safe in pregnancy
Recipe from ‘Mama’s Family Cookbook’, part of Parragon Books’ range of Love Food Cookbooks.