One Pan Spicy Meatballs With Lentils And Fennel Food

ONE-PAN SPICY MEATBALLS WITH LENTILS AND FENNEL

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 450 degrees. In a 9-by-13-inch baking pan or baking dish, gently toss the fennel wedges with the olive oil to coat and season with salt and pepper. Roast until golden brown underneath, about 10 minutes. (Fennel will not be tender at this point.)
• Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, use your hands or a spoon to mix the sausage with the egg until combined. Roll the mixture into 12 (1 1/2-inch) meatballs.
• Add the chicken stock, lentils, garlic and rosemary to the roasted fennel. Stir to combine, then season with 3/4 teaspoon salt. Place the meatballs in the lentil mixture, drizzle the meatballs with olive oil, then roast until the meatballs are browned on top and lentils are tender, 25 to 30 minutes.
• Transfer the meatballs to a plate. Discard the rosemary sprig, then stir in the vinegar, parsley leaves and fennel fronds (reserve a few fronds for garnishing, if desired). Season to taste with salt and pepper. Spoon the lentils and any braising liquid onto shallow bowls and top with the meatballs. Garnish with additional parsley leaves and fennel fronds, if desired.

SPICY ITALIAN MEATBALLS

Steps:

• For the meatballs: Combine the ground beef, pork, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, ricotta, parsley, crushed red pepper, salt, garlic, eggs, milk and black pepper in a bowl. Mash with your hands until thoroughly combined. Form into small balls and place on a baking sheet. Set in the fridge for 1 hour.
• Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Brown the meatballs in batches until nice and deep golden, then move them to a plate.
• For the sauce: Into the same skillet, add the garlic and onions and cook for 2 to 3 minutes. Add the tomato sauce, parsley, tomato paste, sugar, salt, crushed red pepper and black pepper. Reduce the heat to medium low and cook for 15 to 20 minutes.
• Add the meatballs back to the skillet and simmer another 15 minutes. Keep warm until serving.
• Transfer to a chafing dish and serve with frilly toothpicks.

SAUSAGE & FENNEL MEATBALLS WITH LENTILS

Steps:

• Squeeze the meat from the sausages into a large bowl. Add the fennel seeds and mix well with your hands. Shape the meat into 16 walnut-sized balls.
• Heat 1 tsp of the oil in a large non-stick frying pan. Fry the meatballs for 5 mins, turning regularly, until golden but not completely cooked through. Remove to a plate.
• Add the rest of the oil to the pan, tip in the onion, carrots and fennel, cover and let the veg sweat over a gentle heat for 10 mins until softened. Stir now and then.
• Uncover the vegetables, turn up the heat and let them start to colour here and there. Stir in the garlic, sizzle for 1 min, then splash in the wine and let it reduce by half. Stir in the lentils, tomato purée and stock. Cover and simmer for 25 mins or until the lentils are almost tender. Add the sausageballs, plus a splash of water if the pan is looking a little dry. Cover and simmer for a further 10 mins until the meat is cooked through. Squeeze over the lemon juice, season to taste and scatter with parsley to serve.

SPICY LAMB MEATBALLS AND LENTILS

Steps:

• In a bowl, combine lamb, bacon, water, garlic, mint, parsley, spices and seasoning.
• Mix well.
• (This can also be done in a food processor but do not process the mixture to a puree, just process in short bursts to combine).
• Divide the mixture into about 25-30 small meatballs- flatten a little to a disc shape.
• Place on tray and refrigerate until ready to use.
• To prepare the lentils, heat the olive oil in pan and add the onion, carrot and cloves of garlic and saute for 5 minutes until the onions have become transparent.
• Add the lentils and stir to coat with the oil, about 2-3 minutes.
• Add 1 cup tomatoes, chicken stock, seasoning and bouquet garni.
• Bring to the boil and turn down to a simmer.
• Cover and cook until the lentils are tender.
• Discard the bouquet garni.
• Heat extra olive oil in a pan and saute the meatballs in batches in a single layer.
• Remove and add to the lentils.
• Continue to simmer the meatballs and lentils for 15 minutes or until the meatballs are cooked through.
• Add the remaining cup of tomatoes and cook a further 10 minutes.
• Taste and adjust seasoning.
• Serve in large soup plates and garnish with the mint.