One of my favourite dishes ……

Ingredients:

FOR MEATBALLS

• ½ kg chicken mincemeat
• 1 tspn fresh parsley
• 1 tspn chopped garlic
• 2 tbspns bread crumbs
• ½ tspn salt/ chicken salt/ chicken stock powder

FOR SAUCE

• 1 jar Napolitano sauce OR Homemade Napolitano sauce

For Home made Sauce:

• 1 tbspn extra virgin olive oil
• 1 shallot chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 large sprigs fresh thyme
• 800g to 1 kg tinned tomatoes
• 2 fresh tomatoes chopped
• ½ capsicum chopped
• 1 can champignons (sliced)
• Some salt and pepper
• ¼ tspn parsley
• ¼ tspn oregano
• 1 green chilli chopped
• Some cayenne pepper

FOR PASTA

• 1 pack No. 5 spaghetti
• Water for boiling
• Some freshly grated sharp parmesan cheese (for garnishing)
• Some fresh/ dried parsley chopped (for garnishing)

Procedure:

-To make the Napoli sauce: Heat oil in a heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium-high heat. Add onion and garlic and sauté for 2 minutes, then add thyme and tomatoes and bring to the simmer.

-Simmer very gently uncovered over medium-low heat stirring occasionally for 30 minutes or until the tomatoes have broken down and the sauce has thickened. Add a little water during the cooking process if the sauce thickens too much.

-Remove and discard the thyme stems and season to taste with salt and pepper and add other herbs, spices and vegetables.

-While the sauce is simmering, bring a large pot of salted water to the boil. Now it’s time to make the meatballs. Combine the chicken, breadcrumbs, parsley, Dijon mustard and other ingredients in a large mixing bowl and season with salt and pepper.

-Using your hands, gently mix until just blended. Be careful not to over mix the meat as it will toughen it up.

-Form the mixture into 12 – 18  meatballs, dipping your hands in a bowl of cold water to stop the chicken from sticking.

-Heat the oil in a large heavy-bottomed frying pan over medium heat.

-Cook the meatballs until golden brown all over, about 2 minutes.

-Using a slotted spoon, transfer the meatballs to the tomato sauce and simmer gently until the meatballs are cooked through, about 5 minutes.

-Meanwhile, add the spaghetti to the boiling water and cook according to the packet directions until al denté, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.

-With a slotted spoon take out the meatballs from the sauce.

-Drain the spaghetti and toss the pasta with some of the Napoli sauce, season to taste with salt and pepper, and divide the pasta between four serving bowls. Divide the meatballs and remaining tomato sauce evenly between the four bowls of pasta.

-Serving suggestion: Sprinkle the grated parmesan cheese on top and serve.