Meatballs and Onions!

Polpette e cipolle

Looking for a different yet easy and elegant way to serve your meatballs? Using onion as little cups is a great way to serve meatballs. You could impress your guests serving these as a starter or serve with roast potatoes on the side as a main meal. Ingredients for 4 people:

1. 400 g best quality pork and beef mince

2. 2 large white onions

3. 1 slice bread

4. Half a cup of milk

5. 1 egg

6. 20 g parmesan cheese

7. 100 g chopped tomatoes

8. 4-5 sprigs fresh thyme

9. Salt and pepper

10. Spoonful olive oil

Method:

1. Put mince in a bowl.

2. Put bread in another bowl. Add milk to the bread and let the bread absorb it all.

3. Then break up the bread and add it to the mince.

4. Now add half the parmesan, an egg and salt and pepper.

5. Mix well and shape into 16 equal sized balls.

6. Cut the top and end off the onions. Then cut them in half and take out the layers so you have little 'cups' to place each one in. You'll need 16 cups.

7. Heat some oil in a pan.

8. Strain the tomatoes using a sieve to remove excess water.

9. Add the tomatoes and thyme to the pan and simmer for a few minutes. Turn off the heat.

10. Now preheat the oven to 200 degrees.

11. Place each ball inside an onion cup. Add each to an oven proof dish.

12. Now add a small spoonful of the tomato sauce on top of each.

13. Sprinkle remaining Parmesan on top and bake for about 25-30 minutes.