Chianti Baked Meatballs

I’ve been in the process of downsizing my book collection for a number of weeks now, this involves going through all of my books and making the agonizing (for me) decision of which ones to keep and which ones to give away.   The ones I give away go to the charity shop.  Of course most of them are cookery books . . .  and that makes it even more difficult to decide, and it takes a lot of effort on my part and yes, sacrifice.  I have decided though that if there are not more than one or two recipes in a book that I would actually cook, no matter how beautiful it is, it has to go.

In The Mood for Food, by Jo Pratt is a book I have had for several years.  I think we were living down in Brenchley when I got it.  I got to looking through it the other day and couldn’t think why I hadn’t been cooking from it, because it was chockerblock full of tasty recipes and healthy ones as well.  Spoilt for choice I guess!  I am just spoilt for choice!

The recipe for Chianti Baked Meatballs just jumped out at me and I had to make it. It sounded very easy and very delicious and I had everything I needed in the house to make them, even the Chianti!  I thought I better use some of it before it turned into vinegar!  (We don’t drink alcohol, but I do use it for cooking purposes.)

There is very little fat in the recipe, just a bit of olive oil used to brown the meatballs in the oven.  In all truth I didn’t use any at all.  Because the meatballs are baked in an oven proof skillet, I simply sprayed my skillet with a bit of low fat cooking spray.  It worked a treat.

The sauce is very simple . . .  just tinned tomatoes and some seasoning and of course the chianti.  I always have tinned tomatoes in larder.   You know my favourite ones by now I am sure, but I’ll remind you . . .

Cirio Chopped Tomatoes . . .  authentically Italian.   They are so good I could just eat them out of the tin with a spoon, and do from time to time.  (Don’t judge me!)   In a recipe where the tomatoes are going to be one of the stars, you want really good ones, and these are the best!

Trust me on this.   They are the best.   I had mine with some whole wheat spaghetti  . . .  the Toddster had his with potatoes, mash to be exact.   Everybody was happy.

 Tender meatballs filled with lots of flavour and a bit of zip, in a simple and tasty sauce.   This was a winner/winner Meatball Dinner!

Serve immediately with your favourite pasta or roasted potatoes and a sprinkling of Parmesan cheese.

Simple to make, easy, delicious and healthy. Works well for me!

Bon Appetit!

Debunking the myths of English Cookery, one recipe at a time.
The English Kitchen
http://theenglishkitchen.blogspot.com/