Makes: Serves 4
Preparation Time: 1 hour and 20 minutes
Level: Easy/ Medium
INGREDIENTS
- 1.5 KG OF TOMATOES
- 2 ROLLS
- 700 G OF GROUND BEEF (KNUCKLE OR RUMP STEAK)
- 1 LARGE ONION, DICED
- 3 GARLIC CLOVES, MINCED
- 2 TABLESPOONS OF OLIVE OIL
- SALT AND BLACK PEPPER TO TASTE
PREPARATION
Cook the tomato in a pot with a bit of water and blend it in a food processor in order to get a smooth sauce. Moisten the rolls until they dissolve and mix them with the ground beef. Add ½ onion, 2 garlic cloves, salt, and black pepper. Mix until smooth. Shape into little balls and sear them in olive oil until golden. Remove from heat and set aside. Using the same pot, braise the remaining onion and garlic. Return the meatballs to the pot, add the tomato sauce and cook for 20 minutes. Serve with white rice.
IN DETAIL: Our meatballs come from Portugal. But this does not mean that the recipe is 100% Portuguese. As old as the Greek, Chinese, and Arabs – from whom the Portuguese name came through the word “albúnduqa” (“round shape”) –, meatballs have different ingredients and roles around throughout the world. Here, rarely they stand alone as a dish: the classic version is served with tomato sauce and accompanied by pasta or rice.
