Sweet Cinnamon Beef Meatballs with Almonds, Raisins & Tomato Sauce

Ingredients

• 150g lean beef mince for this meal
• 45g extra lean beef mince for Dinner 3
• 18g ground almonds or very finely chopped blanched almonds
• 35g fresh breadcrumbs
• 25ml milk
• ½ egg
• 15g pecorino or parmesan, finely grated
• 12g raisins, finely chopped
• ¼ tsp ground cinnamon
• ¼ garlic clove
• 1 tsp olive or rapeseed oil
• 50g onion, finely chopped
• ½ garlic clove
• 10g tomato purée
• 180g passata
• Cinnamon stick, optional
• 2g fresh oregano or basil
• 1 tsp olive or rapeseed oil

Method

1. Start the sauce. Heat oil in a pan and cook onion for 6–8 minutes until soft.
2. Add garlic and tomato purée. Cook for 1 minute.
3. Add passata, cinnamon stick if using, and herbs. Simmer gently for 15 minutes.
4. Meanwhile, soak breadcrumbs in milk for 5 minutes.
5. Mix beef mince, soaked breadcrumbs, ground almonds, egg, a little pecorino, finely chopped raisins, cinnamon and garlic. Do not add salt if serving babies or toddlers from the same batch.
6. Shape into small meatballs. Make baby and toddler meatballs smaller and softer.
7. Brown meatballs in a little oil for 5–6 minutes, turning gently.
8. Transfer meatballs into the tomato sauce and simmer for 20 minutes, until cooked through.
9. Save the planned extra meatballs and sauce for Dinner 3 before adding adult salt, chilli, extra pecorino or whole pine nuts.
10. Add adult-only pine nuts, chilli, black pepper, extra cheese or salt at the table.