Winter is good for a few things, one being comfort food.  And when there are meat balls involved, I’m so there.  Today, I’m sharing with you this warming and nourishing recipe.  Balls and greens!

Greens – they are super easy to prepare and quite frankly they can be whatever green veg your heart so desires.  We’re fortunate enough to be regularly given wild greens or home grown broccoli which generally make their way to our table on an extremely regular basis.  Cooking these is simple.  I roughly chop through so they can fit into a saucepan with a small amount of water in the bottom (say 2cm) and I allow to cook for around 5 minutes or until ‘just’ cooked.  I then toss through a splash of olive oil, season with salt and pepper and add a touch of garlic.  Totally delicious and busting with vitamins.

As for the balls – here’s my go to recipe.

500gm organic chicken mince (you really can use whatever mince you enjoy)
1 onion grated
1 sweet potato grated
1 egg
1/4 cup of finely chopped parsley (optional)
1/2 cup of rice flour (again whatever flour you prefer)

Method

Mix these ingredients well and roll into balls around the size of a 50c coin.  You might like to keep a bowl of water too the side as you are rolling the balls, keeping the hands wet in-between balls will prevent them from sticking as well as help them to keep shape.  Set aside in the refrigerator as you prepare sauce to cook in.

Red Sauce

1 onion chopped
1 jar of passata
1 tbs coconut oil
Salt and pepper to taste.

Method

Melt oil in a pan and toss in onion.  Cook until onion becomes clear.
Add in passata and allow to come to a simmer.  Season with salt and pepper.
Add in the balls to the sauce one by one – arranging them side by side.
Allow to simmer for 45 minutes.  You may need to add a little water to the sauce if it reduces too much.  I generally place a lid on top to prevent this from happening and gently stir every 15 minutes.

Now – thank me for organising your winter dinner!  Enjoy!