Beef

Banging saucy meatballs

Name: Banging saucy meatballs recipe
Yield: 4
Ingredients: Large handful of plain potato chips; 250 g pork mince; 250 g beef mince; 1/2 onion, finely chopped; 3 garlic cloves, finely chopped; 15 g (1/2 cup) basil leaves, finely chopped, plus whole basil leaves to serve; 1 egg; 1 tablespoon smoked paprika; 1 teaspoon chilli powder; 2.00 teaspoon salt flakes; 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper; 2 tablespoons plain flour; 2.00 tablespoon olive oil; Crusty bread, to serve; 2 x 400 g cans diced tomatoes; 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped; 1 teaspoon sugar; 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

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These meatballs are somewhat crazy, delicious, adventurous and a touch spicy all rolled into one. Air Fryer Express by George Georgievski, Published by Plum, RRP $26.99, Photography by Nikole Ramsay.

Large handful of plain potato chips
250 g pork mince
250 g beef mince
1/2 onion, finely chopped
3 garlic cloves, finely chopped
15 g (1/2 cup) basil leaves, finely chopped, plus whole basil leaves to serve
1 egg
1 tablespoon smoked paprika
1 teaspoon chilli powder
1 teaspoon salt flakes
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 tablespoons plain flour
1 tablespoon olive oil
Crusty bread, to serve

Saucy tomato sauce

2 x 400 g cans diced tomatoes
2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon sugar
1 teaspoon salt flakes
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Method

1.

We’re going to start with the sauce – it’s so easy! Place all the ingredients in a saucepan over medium heat. Give them a stir, then drop the heat so the sauce simmers but doesn’t boil. Now step aside and enjoy the delicious smell. Cook over low heat for 25 minutes, by which time the sauce will have reduced and thickened, which is just how we want it.
2.

Meanwhile, to make the banging meatballs, you’ll need a mixing bowl, so stop reading and grab the bowl. Sorry, I forgot to mention, please also grab a zip-lock bag. Now put the potato chips in the zip-lock bag and lightly crush them with your fingers, until they’re broken up into different sizes. There’s no need to grab a rolling pin or pulverise them against the wall.
3.

Drop both types of mince into the bowl, followed by the onion, garlic and basil. Crack in the egg, then add the crushed potato chips and all the remaining ingredients except the bread. Roll up your sleeves and start mixing with your hands, squishing the mixture in your palms until it’s a little sticky and the ingredients are well combined. Using wet hands, roll into twelve golf ball–sized meatballs. Line the base of your air fryer with baking paper, then pop the meatballs in and cook on 175°C for 15 minutes, turning them every 5 minutes so they are evenly caramelised.
4.

Transfer the meatballs to a shallow serving bowl and pour the delicious tomato sauce all over the top. Finish with some extra basil leaves and serve with crusty bread for mopping up the sauce.