Ingredients

Serves 6

Meatballs
250g organic veal mince
250g organic pork mince
250g organic lamb mince
4 cloves garlic, crushed
2 tbsp fresh breadcrumbs
1 egg, beaten
½ cup fresh full fat ricotta
¼ cup freshly grated Parmigiano
Salt and pepper, to taste
½ cup finely chopped parsley, basil

 

Tomato Sauce
2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1 onion, puréed
1 bay leaf
1 anchovy
1 x 750ml bottle tomato passata
1 x 420g can chopped tomatoes
1 tsp sugar
Salt and pepper to taste

 

Polenta Batons
500ml chicken stock
500ml cold water
1 cup quick cooking polenta
Oil for frying

 

Pesto Oil
1 bunch basil, leaves picked
1 clove garlic, chopped
½ cup pine nuts, toasted
¼ cup grated Parmigiano
¼ cup grated pecorino cheese
1 cup extra virgin olive oil

Method

1. For the meatballs, combine all ingredients in a large bowl. Using clean hands, mix until well combined. Divide mixture into 12 and shape into meatballs. Place onto a plate; cover with cling film and refrigerate for 10 minutes.

2. For the tomato sauce, heat oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add onion, bay leaf and anchovy and cook 5 minutes or until onion has softened. Stir in passata, tomatoes and sugar. Simmer on low heat for 10 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Remove meatballs from refrigerator and add to hot sauce; simmer gently for a further 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.

3. For the polenta, Bring stock and water to the boil in a large saucepan over medium high heat. Slowly pour in polenta in a steady stream, stirring continuously until mixture thickens and boils. Continue cooking polenta, stirring for a further 10 minutes. Pour polenta into a greased 2cm deep rectangular slice pan and refrigerate until firm and set. When polenta is firm, remove from tin and cut into 10 cm x 2cm long batons. Heat oil in a frying pan. Cook polenta for 1-2 minutes or until crisp and golden; drain on absorbent paper towel.

4. For the pesto oil, place basil leaves, garlic, pine nuts and salt in a food processor; process until smooth. While the motor is still running, pour oil in a gentle stream until mixture combines and thickens. Stir in grated cheeses and adjust seasoning.

5. To serve, place two meatballs onto each plate. Spoon over tomato sauce and serve with polenta batons. Drizzle oil around the outside of the plate.