Recipe Alert: Meat Balls [with Couscous]

Christmas is the best part of the year for me, I actually start planning for Christmas (cards, food, presents, more food, decorations, and even more food) as early as September...yes! September! This year I have put together a notebook full of [healthy] recipes to try over the holidays. And being a sharing soul (LOL) I have decided to share some of them with y'all. So when you see 'Recipe Alert' know that you are getting an early Christmas present from me. Please give the recipes a try and let me know. (It will actually be really nice if you send pictures of your efforts)

So today it's meatballs...[I usually take mine with couscous, but you can experiment with other sides of your choice]

YOU WILL NEED

• I egg (beaten) (to bind your meat balls)
• I medium onion (finely chopped)
• 4 cloves of garlic (peeled and crushed)
• 1 tablespoon ketchup
• I handful of parsley (optional)
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon cumin powder (if you have it)
• A dash of turmeric (optional)
• ½ a slice of bread (to keep your meat balls together)
• 200g minced beef
• 3 tablespoons of olive oil [my prefered oil]
• 1 teaspoon black pepper (optional)
• 1 teaspoon hot pepper (optional)
• 230g chopped tomatoes (I medium sized tin will do)
• 1 medium sized fresh tomato (finely chopped)
• 90ml of water
• Couscous (to serve)

Fix It

1. In a large bowl, put in the egg, onion and half the total quantity of garlic, turmeric, ketchup, parsley, paprika, black pepper, hot pepper and cumin powder
2. Soak the bread in water, then press to drain. Break the soggy bread into small pieces and add to your bowl
3. Mix in minced beef until well combined. Season with salt to taste
4. Wet your hands and form small balls (no larger than table tennis balls) from the mixture
5. In a large pan, heat the olive oil over high heat, then carefully add the meatballs
6. Fry the meatballs for three minutes on each size, then remove from pan
7. Place the tinned and fresh tomatoes, water and the remaining garlic in a saucepan
8. Season with salt and pepper to taste
9. Gently place the prepared meatballs inside the saucepan and bring to boil
10. Simmer over medium heat for 15minutes. Meanwhile prepare couscous according to packet instructions (usually just hot water and half a teaspoon of real butter with a pinch of salt)
11. Serve, kick back and chomp!! J

Here's hoping that you make it rain meatballs this Christmas! (remember the movie?)

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