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Tiny Meatballs: Polpettine
Recipe copyright Mario Batali, 2002. All Rights Reserved.
- Total Time:
- 55 min
- Prep:
- 25 min |
- Inactive Prep:
- -- |
- Cook:
- 30 min
- Level:
- Intermediate
- Yield:
- 24 to 30 meatballs, 4 to 6 servings
Ingredients
- 3/4 pound ground lean meat (combination veal and pork)
- 1 cup freshly grated bread crumbs
- 2 tablespoons grated pecorino
- 2 tablespoons minced flat-leaf parsley
- 1 garlic clove, sliced
- 1 whole egg
- Salt and pepper
- 1 cup extra-virgin olive oil, plus 2 tablespoons
- 8 drained canned plum tomatoes
- 1 small white onion, peeled and sliced
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh herbs, such as basil, mint, or oregano
Directions
Using your hands and working quickly, combine meat, bread crumbs, grated cheese, parsley, garlic, egg, salt, and pepper in a bowl.
In a pan with sides tall enough for deep-frying, heat 1 cup oil to 360 degrees F. While the oil is heating, form meat mixture into little balls no more than 3/4-inch in diameter. When oil is hot, add the meatballs, a few at a time, and fry until brown on all sides. As they finish cooking, set aside to drain on paper towels.
Gently stew the tomatoes and onion in 2 tablespoons oil in a saucepan over medium heat, crushing tomatoes with a fork as they cook, until most of the liquid has evaporated and the sauce is dense. Taste and add salt, if necessary. Transfer to a food processor or food mill and process briefly to make a smooth puree.
Return puree to the pan, add drained meatballs, and let bubble over medium-low heat for 2 to 3 minutes to absorb flavors. Just before serving, stir in fresh herbs.