Curried Meatballs with Basmati Rice, Raisins and Pine Nuts

CURRIED MEATBALLS WITH BASMATI RICE, RAISINS AND PINE NUTS

Serves 6

2 lbs ground veal
2 eggs

2 tablespoons of parsley (minced)
2 garlic cloves (minced)
1 slice of white bread
1/4 cup of milk
1/4 cup of extra virgin olive oil
1/4 cup of all purpose flour
1 onion (chopped)
2 teaspoons of curry powder
1 and 1/4 cup of chicken stock
salt and pepper

2 cups Basmati Rice
2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil
1/4 cup of pine nuts (toasted)
1/4 cup of raisins
2 and 1/4 cups of warm water
salt

Meatballs

Heat milk and add the bread; mix well.

Milk and bread mixture

In a large bowl add ground veal, eggs, parsley, garlic cloves, bread/milk mixture, salt and pepper.  Combine all the ingredients thoroughly.

Meat mixture

Start making small-medium balls with the meat and dust with flour; set aside.

Heat a deep skillet and add olive oil. Working in batches, start frying the meatballs until golden brown on both sides (about 1 and 1/2 minutes on each side at medium heat); transfer meatballs to a Dutch oven or medium pan.

Transfer meatballs to a Dutch Oven

Using the same skillet and olive oil, add onions and cook covered at low heat until soft (about 10-12 minutes); add curry powder and cook for 2 more minutes; add chicken stock and bring to a boil.

Put a food mill on top of the Dutch Oven and transfer the onions, curry and chicken stock to the food mill. Mash the onions to make the sauce for the meatballs.

Mash the onions to make the sauce

Bring Dutch Oven to a gentle boil, season with salt and pepper and cook covered at low heat for 15 minutes. Let stand 5-10 minutes before serving.

Cooked meatballs

Basmati Rice with Raisins and Pine Nuts

Heat a deep pan and add olive oil and rice; stir rice and cook for 2 minutes; add warm water and season with salt. Bring to a boil, cover and simmer for 15 minutes (Tip: do not uncover pan while rice is cooking; lid should fit tightly) Remove from heat and add raisins, cover again and let stand for 5 minutes. Stir rice with a fork before serving.

Toast the pine nuts in a skillet at medium heat stirring often until golden brown (about 3 minutes).

Serve meatballs with sauce, rice on the side and sprinkle with toasted pine nuts.

Enjoy!