Frank's Meatballs
Sapphire from The Dumping Ground cooks Frank's delicious meatballs. Follow the instructions below to make it yourself. Make sure you get a grown-up to help.
- 4 cream crackers
- 500g/1lb 2oz lean beef mince
- 1 tsp dried mixed herbs
- 2 tbsp grated Parmesan
- 1 free-range egg
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 onions, finely chopped
- 1 small carrot, grated
- 1 garlic clove, crushed
- 400g tin chopped tomatoes
- 2 tbsp tomato pur茅e
- 500g/1lb 2oz spaghetti
- salt and pepper
Step 1
Put the cream crackers in a plastic bag. Wrap the bag in a tea towel聽and bash with a rolling pin until crushed.
Step 2
Put the mince in a large bowl, add the mixed herbs, crushed cream聽crackers and Parmesan. Tap the egg gently on the side of the bowl聽and crack the egg into the bowl. Mix the mince mixture together with聽your hands - wet hands are best for this job. Really get squished in so聽all the ingredients are mixed together.
Step 3
To shape the meatballs, take a spoonful of the mince mixture and聽place in the palm of your hand. Cup your other hand over the mince聽and roll to make perfectly round meatballs. Make 16 meatballs. Put聽the meatballs on a large plate and chill in the fridge for 20 minutes.
Wash your hands before the next steps, it is very important to always wash your hands after handling raw meat and fish.
Step 4
To make the tomato sauce, ask an adult to help heat a large pan and add the oil. Add聽the onion, carrots and garlic and fry for 6 minutes, or until soft but not聽browned. Add the tinned tomatoes and tomato pur茅e. Season with聽salt and pepper and allow to simmer for 15 minutes on a low heat.
Step 5
Get an adult to help you heat a tablespoon of oil in another shallow pan. Add the meatballs聽and cook over a medium heat for a few minutes until browned on the聽outside. To keep your meatballs round when frying, hold the handle of聽the pan and carefully shake it in a round action so that the meatballs聽never have a chance to settle. This way, they'll remain round.
Step 6
When the meatballs are evenly browned and cooked through, add to聽the tomato sauce and simmer for a further 5 minutes. Serve the聽meatball sauce with spaghetti.
Top Tips
Make sure all the food is prepared before you start cooking.
The oil needs to be hot before you start, but then reduced to a medium heat once you start cooking. Get an adult to help you with this bit.
Recipe serves 4
Less than 30 mins聽preparation time
10 to 30 mins聽cooking time