About

Cost: $ $ $ $ $

Difficulty: • • • • •

Time: 1h00

Serves: 4

OLPETTE DI MAMMA ALBA
The secret of my mother’s meatballs is very simple – always use two types of mincemeat for texture and flavour (in this case pork and beef) and keep the tomato sauce simple, so you can appreciate the flavour of the meatballs. She also used to bake the meatballs before simmering them in the tomato sauce rather than frying them, as is often the case. Always use fresh breadcrumbs rather than dried or toasted, or the meatballs will be tough and chewy. Serve with plenty of warm crusty bread to mop up the sauce.

Serves 4

Posted by Hodder & Stoughton • Published 15th November 2017 • See Hodder & Stoughton's 34 projects » © 2024 Gino D'Acampo / Hodder & Stoughton · Reproduced with permission. · Recipes extracted from Gino’s Italian Coastal Escape by Gino D’Acampo, published by Hodder & Stoughton out, £20. Photography by Dan Jones

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Step 1
Preheat the oven to 220°C/gas mark 7. Grease a large baking sheet with oil and set aside. Place the pork, beef, breadcrumbs, garlic, parsley, Grana Padano and eggs in a large bowl. Season with salt and pepper. Mix with your hands until everything is thoroughly combined.
Step 2
Using dampened hands, take small amounts of the meat mixture and roll into 12 equal-sized balls. Place the balls on the baking sheet. Bake for 12 minutes.
Step 3
Meanwhile, make the sauce. Put the tomatoes, passata and oil in a large saucepan over a medium heat. Stir in the chilli flakes, basil and some salt. Bring to the boil. Reduce the heat, partially cover the pan and simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Step 4
Carefully place the meatballs in the tomato sauce and partially cover the pan again. Simmer for 30 minutes, turning the meatballs occasionally. If the sauce gets too thick, add a little hot water. To serve, scatter over a few basil leaves.