Chicken Balls With Tomato-Garlic Sauce

Submitted by Chef mariajane

"I found this recipe in our local newspaper - You can serve this as finger food or serve with spaghetti. It can also be made with ground beef or turkey."

 

• Ready In: 40mins
• Ingredients: 17
• Serves: 4-6

ingredients

• TOMATO SAUCE

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 onions, finely chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, pressed
• 1 (398 ml) can crushed tomatoes
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste
• 2 teaspoons sugar
• 1⁄4 teaspoon dried oregano

• CHICKEN BALLS

• 1 cup ground chicken
• 1 small apple, peeled and grated
• 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leave
• 1⁄4 cup parmesan cheese, grated
• 1⁄2 cup breadcrumbs
• salt
• pepper
• flour, for dusting
• 3 tablespoons sunflower oil
• fresh basil (to garnish) or parsley (to garnish)

directions

1. METHOD FOR SAUCE:

2. In a large frying pan over medium heat, heat oil; fry onions until soft, about 10 minutes.
3. Put half the onions in a small bowl; set aside for chicken balls. Add garlic to onions in pan and sauté for 1 minute. Add tomatoes, tomato paste, sugar and oregano plus 1/2 cup water. Cover and simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.

4. METHOD FOR THE CHICKEN BALLS:

5. Add ground chicken, apple, thyme, Parmesan, breadcrumbs and salt and pepper to reserved onions. Mix well. With floured hands, form about 20 teaspoon-size balls. In a large frying pan on medium-high, heat oil; brown chicken balls on each side. Transfer to sauce and simmer uncovered for 8-10 minutes. Drain and toss weith cooked spaghetti. Sprinkle with parsley.