MEATBALL SANDWICHES
MAKES 4
1 ciabatta loaf (from good bakers)1 ciabatta loaf (from good bakers)
2 cups firmly packed wild rocket2 cups firmly packed wild rocket
TOMATO SAUCETOMATO SAUCE
400g can chopped tomatoes400g can chopped tomatoes
2 tbs olive oil2 tbs olive oil
1 garlic clove, finely chopped1 garlic clove, finely chopped
1 thyme sprig1 thyme sprig
PESTOPESTO
1 bunch basil, leaves picked1 bunch basil, leaves picked
100ml olive oil100ml olive oil
1 tbs pine nuts, toasted1 tbs pine nuts, toasted
(^11) // 22 garlic clove, chopped garlic clove, chopped
2 tbs finely grated parmesan, 2 tbs finely grated parmesan,
plus extra to serveplus extra to serve
MEATBALLSMEATBALLS
2211 // 22 tbs olive oil tbs olive oil
1 red onion, finely chopped1 red onion, finely chopped
2 garlic cloves, finely chopped2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
500g beef mince500g beef mince
200g pork mince200g pork mince
3 tsp finely chopped marjoram leaves3 tsp finely chopped marjoram leaves
2 tbs finely chopped flat-leaf 2 tbs finely chopped flat-leaf
parsley leavesparsley leaves
(^11) // 44 cup (20g) finely grated parmesan cup (20g) finely grated parmesan
For the tomato sauce, combine tomatoes, For the tomato sauce, combine tomatoes,
oil, garlic and thyme in a saucepan and oil, garlic and thyme in a saucepan and
bring to the boil over medium-high heat. bring to the boil over medium-high heat.
Reduce heat to medium and simmer, Reduce heat to medium and simmer,
stirring occasionally, for 15-20 minutes stirring occasionally, for 15-20 minutes
or until thickened slightly. Transfer to or until thickened slightly. Transfer to
a blender and whiz until smooth. Transfer a blender and whiz until smooth. Transfer
to a bowl and chill until needed.to a bowl and chill until needed.
For the pesto, combine all ingredients For the pesto, combine all ingredients
in a blender and whiz until smooth. in a blender and whiz until smooth.
Transfer to a bowl, cover surface directly Transfer to a bowl, cover surface directly
with foil and chill until needed.with foil and chill until needed.
For the meatballs, heat 1 tbs oil in For the meatballs, heat 1 tbs oil in
a frypan over medium heat. Add onion a frypan over medium heat. Add onion
and garlic, and cook, stirring occasionally, and garlic, and cook, stirring occasionally,
for 6 minutes or until onion has softened. for 6 minutes or until onion has softened.
Transfer to a bowl and stand for 5 minutes Transfer to a bowl and stand for 5 minutes
to cool slightly. Add minced beef and to cool slightly. Add minced beef and
pork, herbs and parmesan to cooled pork, herbs and parmesan to cooled
onion mixture and, using your hands, onion mixture and, using your hands,
combine well. Roll into two-teaspoon-combine well. Roll into two-teaspoon-
sized balls. Heat remaining 1sized balls. Heat remaining 1^11 // 22 tbs oil tbs oil
in a large frypan over medium heat. in a large frypan over medium heat.
Add meatballs and cook, turning Add meatballs and cook, turning
occasionally, for 3-4 minutes or until occasionally, for 3-4 minutes or until
browned all over. Add tomato sauce browned all over. Add tomato sauce
and simmer for 10-12 minutes or until and simmer for 10-12 minutes or until
meatballs are cooked through.meatballs are cooked through.
Meanwhile, preheat oven to 180°C.Meanwhile, preheat oven to 180°C.
Place bread in the oven for 5 minutes Place bread in the oven for 5 minutes
or until warmed through, then cut into or until warmed through, then cut into
4 even pieces. Split each piece in half 4 even pieces. Split each piece in half
horizontally and spread a little pesto over horizontally and spread a little pesto over
the inside of each piece. Spoon meatball the inside of each piece. Spoon meatball
mixture onto the base of each slice, mixture onto the base of each slice,
top with rocket and scatter with extra top with rocket and scatter with extra
parmesan. Top with remaining ciabatta parmesan. Top with remaining ciabatta
pieces and serve immediately.pieces and serve immediately.