Spicy Meatballs in Tomato Sauce

By garciamoss

Ingredients

• 1/4 1/4 2 cup plus 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 1/2 1/2 1/2 medium red onion, finely chopped (about 1/2 cup)
• 2 2 2 slices white bread, crust removed
• 1/4 1/4 1/4 cup whole milk
• 1 1 1 large egg
• 1/2 1/2 80 pound ground beef (preferably 80 percent lean)
• 1/2 1/2 1/2 pound ground pork
• 1/4 1/4 1/4 cup finely chopped fresh mint
• 2 2 2 tablespoons sambal oelek
• 1 1 of 1 large lemon (about 1 tablespoon)
• 2 2 2 teaspoons dried oregano
• 1 1/2 1 1/2 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
• 1 1 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 4 4 4 cups tomato sauce (preferably homemade)

Details

Adapted from purewow.com

Preparation

Step 1

1. In a large skillet, warm 2 tablespoons of the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes. Set aside to cool.

2. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, soak the bread in the milk for 1 minute. Gently squeeze the bread out and discard any remaining milk.

3. In a large bowl, combine the cooled onions with the bread, egg, beef, pork, mint, sambal oelek, lemon zest, oregano, salt and pepper. Mix together with clean hands until just combined, then divide the mixture into 12 equal-size meatballs.

4. In the large skillet, warm the remaining ¼ cup olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the meatballs and cook until golden brown on all sides, approximately 2 minutes per side. (You do not need to cook the meatballs all the way through.) Transfer the meatballs to a paper-towel-lined plate to drain.

5. In a large saucepan, bring the tomato sauce to a simmer over medium heat. Add the meatballs, reduce the heat to low and simmer uncovered for 20 minutes. Serve immediately or simmer for up to 1 hour before serving.