Spicy Spanish Meatballs

For the meatballs:

·                                 1 onion, finely chopped

·                                 300 g lean minced beef

·                                 50 g fresh breadcrumbs

·                                 1 tsp chopped fresh oregano

·                                 ½ tsp ground cumin

·                                 1 egg, beaten

·                                 oil, for frying

For the sauce:

·                                 1 red chilli (chopped)

·                                 1 tbsp olive oil

·                                 1 onion, finely chopped

·                                 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped

·                                 175 ml beef stock

·                                 400 g canned chopped tomatoes

·                                 1 tbsp. tomato puree

·                                 1/2 cup chopped red pepper

·                                 1 tablespoon chopped chives

·                                 Sprigs of basil

Mix the onion, beef in a mixing bowl. Add the breadcrumbs, oregano, cumin and ½ teaspoon each of salt and pepper and mix well.

 Add the egg and mix thoroughly. Roll the mixture into small balls.

 Heat the oil in a frying pan, add the meatballs and fry for 5 minutes, turning occasionally, until browned. Set aside.
 

Finely chop the chilli. Heat  the oil in a pan. Fry onion, chill and red pepper and garlic. Add in stock, tomatoes, tomato puree, and  salt and pepper .Bring to the boil and simmer for 5 minutes.

  Add the meatballs to the sauce and simmer for 10 minutes to heat through.

Serve. Sprinkle with chopped chives and sprigs of basil.