Spaghetti with Meat Balls in Rich Tomato Sauce

As a family, I feel, we are moving closer to Italian Cuisine. Even my fussy eater never shows her attitude towards any of the Italian dishes, in spite being spicy (yeah...I like these dishes to be slightly hot).

Coming to the dish....I just loved these tender, juicy meatballs soaked in rich tomato juice..simmered on low heat for about an hour...On the other hand, the meat balls imparted all its richness to the tomato juice making it even more richer. 

This time around I got rid off the normal white, plastic-tasting spaghetti (which my son disliked) and caught hold of some organic stuff, which had a superior flavour of its own.

Ingredients

Spaghetti - 1 packet

Italian Meat balls

Minced meat (raw) - 500g
Egg - 1
Garlic - 1 clove
Grated cheese (Romano / Ricotta / Parmesan) - 1/2 cup
Milk - 1/4 cup
Bread crumbs - 1/2 cup
Salt - 1/2 tsp
Fresh chopped parsley - 2 tsp
Chopped basil - 1 leaf

Home-made Tomato Sauce
Tomato - 3 big
Onion - 1 big
Garlic - 2 cloves
Olive oil - 2 tbsp
Fresh chopped parsley - 2 tbsp (if using dried, use 2 tsp)
Fresh chopped basil - 1 tbsp (if using dried, use 1/2 tsp)
Salt - as per taste
Chilli flakes - 2 tsp (optional)
Water - approx 1/2 cup
Sugar - 2 tbsp



Method

Meatballs
1. Soak the breadcrumbs in milk and keep for around 10 minutes.
2. Mix all the ingredients, including the soaked breadcrumbs using hand.
3. Make small ball.
At this point, you can refrigerate if not using immediately.

Home-made Tomato Sauce
1. Chop the onion & garlic finely.
2. Crush the tomatoes well in a processor
3. Heat a wide mouthed, thick-bottomed pan, add the olive oil
4. Add the onion, garlic and saute till they become transparent, in low heat.
5. Add the tomato, basil, parsley, salt and sugar, stir well.
6. Simmer on very low heat for about an hour (It is best to simmer it for 2 hrs).
7. After simmering for about 15 - 20 min, drop the meat balls into the gravy and let it slowly cook for atleast 45 min.

Spaghetti

1. Heat plenty of water in a wide mouthed pan.
2. When the water is rolling boil, add salt and few drops of olive oil (to avoid sticking of spaghetti).
3. Now add the spaghetti, and gently stir.
4. Let it cook for about 20 min, till spaghetti is cooked well.
5. Drain and serve along with the meat ball - tomato sauce