Mozzarella Meatballs

The Italian Job…

There are so many bad versions of Italian Classics available ready made that it is easy to forget how delicious the genuine articles are & more especially that it is worth that little bit of extra effort to make your dish from scratch using fresh ingredients… J J

Ingredients & Costing…
Minced Beef x 450gm	3.99
Mozzarella Cheese x 50gm grated	0.20
Egg x 1 Free Range	0.24
Onion x 1 small finely diced	0.15
Fat Clove of Garlic x 1 crushed	0.05
Fresh Parsley x 25gm	0.99
Maldon Sea Salt	0.05
Freshly Ground Black Pepper	0.05
Olive Oil for Frying	0.15
Arrabbiata Sauce (see separate post)
9 Hearty Meatballs	€5.87

It Couldn’t be easier…
æ In a mixing bowl combine the minced beef, mozzarella cheese, egg, onion, garlic & fresh parsley. Season very well with freshly ground black pepper & sea salt
æ To check the seasoning fry a small portion of the mixture & adjust accordingly
æ Shape the mixture into golf ball size rounds, heat the olive oil in a heavy based frying pan & fry meatballs until golden brown on all sides, remove & set to one side
æ Pre heat the Arrabbiata Sauce in an oven proof casserole pot, set the browned meatballs on top of the tomato sauce, cover with a lid & place in a pre heated oven (gas mark 6) for 15 minutes. Delicious served on a bed of buttered organic spelt spaghetti

　
Meatball Sub…
If you only have time for a quickie try a meatball sub served on a soft white roll with fresh crisp leaves, sliced red onions, roasted peppers & a drizzle of fresh pesto … J J

Tabbouleh

Middle Eastern Magic…

Almost everywhere I have lived over the past 30 years as soon as I am settled my priority is to plant a small herb garden – sometimes this was merely a window box or on one occasion I had the luxury of planting a small herb garden within a Celtic knot of miniature box hedging. Either way my ultimate motivation was that over the forthcoming summer I could have the pleasure of picking fresh herbs in the quantity required to make this Middle Eastern bulgar wheat salad…J J

Ingredients & Costing…
Bulgar Wheat x 200gm	0.60
Tomato x 2	0.20
Onion x 1 small finely diced	0.15
Fat Clove of Garlic x 1 crushed	0.05
Fresh Parsley x 50gm	1.98
Fresh Mint x 25gm	0.99
Extra Virgin Olive Oil x 2 tblsp	0.10
Juice of Lemon x 1	0.25
Maldon Sea Salt	0.05
Freshly Ground Black Pepper	0.05
4 Hearty Portions	€4.42

It Couldn’t be easier…
æ Place the bulgar wheat in a bowl & cover with boiling water, seal with cling film & leave for 15 minutes until the grains have absorbed the water, drain any excess liquid
æ Scoop out the tomatoes & chop the flesh into small dice, add to the bulgar wheat together with the diced onion, crushed garlic, finely chopped fresh parsley & mint
æ Add the lemon juice & olive oil, seasoning well to taste with freshly ground black pepper & sea salt
æ Serve piled on a platter drizzled with olive oil, delicious served with falafel & flatbread
　
Character Building…
Fresh herbs add character & texture to any dish creating an explosion of flavour unrivalled by their dried counterparts. Throughout the ages herbs have been renowned for their medicinal qualities known to aid digestion of food in the diet especially fat & to eliminate toxins from the body. Mint in particular has anti inflammatory properties easing breathing & soothing inflamed stomachs… J J