Meatballs in tomato, chilli and lemon sauce

These spicy meatballs add fiery flair to a Spanish tapas menu.

Recipe «Meatballs in tomato, chilli and lemon sauce» presented in category Recipes / Meat, to prepare this dish you will need no more 30 minutes. To make this dish at home by prescription from the author sheff would need: 2 tbsp olive oil, 1 red onion, finely chopped, 2 garlic cloves, crushed, 1/2 tsp fennel seeds, 500g pork and veal mince , 1 egg, lightly beaten, 1/2 cup fresh breadcrumbs, 2 tbsp finely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves, plus extra, to serve , 2 tbsp finely grated parmesan, 1/2 tsp dried chilli flakes, 1 tsp finely grated lemon rind, 400g can chopped tomatoes with paste, 2 tbsp lemon juice.

Ingredients:

• 2 tbsp olive oil 
• 1 red onion, finely chopped 
• 2 garlic cloves, crushed 
• 1/2 tsp fennel seeds 
• 500g pork and veal mince 
• 1 egg, lightly beaten 
• 1/2 cup fresh breadcrumbs 
• 2 tbsp finely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves, plus extra, to serve 
• 2 tbsp finely grated parmesan 
• 1/2 tsp dried chilli flakes 
• 1 tsp finely grated lemon rind 
• 400g can chopped tomatoes with paste 
• 2 tbsp lemon juice 

Instructions

1. Heat 2 teaspoons oil in a large frying pan over medium-high heat. Add onion. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, or until onion has softened. Add garlic and fennel. Cook for 1 minute or until fragrant. Remove from heat. Cool for 5 minutes.
2. Combine mince, egg, breadcrumbs, parsley, parmesan and onion mixture in a bowl. Season with salt and pepper. Roll level tablespoons of mixture into balls. Place on a large plate.
3. Heat remaining oil in a large frying pan over medium heat. Cook meatballs, in batches, turning for 5 to 7 minutes or until browned. Transfer to a plate.
4. Add chilli and lemon rind to pan. Cook for 1 minute or until fragrant. Add tomato and lemon juice. Bring to a simmer. Add meatballs. Cook for 10 to 12 minutes or until sauce has thickened and meatballs are cooked through. Serve, topped with extra parsley.