Chicken and Spinach Meatballs on Tomato and Beans
Photography by Aaron McLean.
Bursting with fragrant lemon and basil, these light meatballs are also great made into patties and served between slices of toasted ciabatta as a burger.
Serves: 4
INGREDIENTS
Meatballs
100 grams spinach leaves (2 big handfuls)
500 grams chicken mince
¾ cup fresh breadcrumbs
1 egg
1 teaspoon ground cumin
2 cloves garlic, crushed
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
finely grated zest 1 lemon
2 tablespoons finely chopped basil
sea salt and freshly ground pepper
1 tablespoon olive oil
Beans
1 onion, thinly sliced
2 cloves garlic, crushed
1 x 400 gram tin whole cherry tomatoes
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
½ cup water
1 x 400 gram tin cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
handful basil leaves
Parmesan for grating
METHOD
Meatballs: Combine all the ingredients in a bowl and season well. Form into 16 rough balls. The mixture is soft. The meatballs can be made several hours ahead. Cover and chill until ready to use.
Heat the oil in a large sauté pan and cook the meatballs until golden on all sides and just cooked through. Transfer to a plate. Don’t wash the pan.
Beans: Add the onion to the pan and cook until tender, adding a little more oil if necessary. Add the garlic, tomatoes, vinegar and water, season and simmer gently for 5 minutes. Add the beans then the meatballs and simmer for a further 10 minutes. Stir in the basil.
To serve: Divide the beans and meatballs between shallow bowls and top with a good grating of Parmesan.
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Issue 115 is packed with inspiration for all kinds of cosy meals – whether you’re dining alone, as two or with a few. We start with our Plating Game interview with Jesse Mulligan which inspired a medley of curries and sides then move on to a round up of easy one-pan chicken dishes, a variety of pasta bakes and meatballs, and using one simple yet delicious tart base we whip up five fab filling options. Sarah’s wintry faves include a moreish chorizo (not) carbonara, lamb and spinach filo pie and we finish off with sweet treats and decadent puds. We love seeing what you create, don’t forget to share your dish dishes with our Facebook community. When it comes to winter cooking, make it SIMPLY YUM!