I have both the girls home this week as it’s half term! The weather has been awful though so we are struggling to find places to visit and have fun (sad face). This means that we have to spend more time at home which only means that I have to cook more than usual (sad face again!) Now let me explain something, yes I have a blog and yes I love cooking but having two children asking for your attention all the time and calling for ‘mummy’ for like a gazillion times it’s not the best atmosphere and I like to cook listening to music or even having a basic thought process! Even now when I am trying to write this blog I have Nektaria next to me trying to read what I’m writing spelling e-ve-ry sin-gle word!!! I am having a half term rant here people please bare with me!
Fast forward three days later, I can finally finish this post! They are both asleep and I get to see photos of them being extra sweet or think of all the fun things we did together! I do miss having them together, I somehow think they complete each other and that makes my heart skip a beat! I also realise how much I miss Nektaria with her going to school all the time. In England they expect children to go to reception/foundation when they are only four and start year one when they are five and I really don’t know who had this bright idea but it’s a bad idea! They make children read and write and sit quiet for a long time when clearly they haven’t reached that level of maturity and they are obviously setting them up for failure! There, another rant over!
Back to the feta cheese stuffed meatballs! They are easy -which is what I needed last week- super super yummy and they are super child friendly because children have a thing for meatballs? Am I the only one who noticed that? We served them with mashed potatoes because why not but they can easily be served with pasta or rice or even a nice piece or two of rustic sourdough bread!
For the meatballs you will need:
500 gr pork minced meat
1 egg
2 tbsp fresh chopped parsley
1 tsp cinnamon
2 tsp dried mint
1 tsp oregano
salt/pepper
100 gr feta cheese cut in cubes
some olive oil to drizzle the meatballs
For the sauce
400 gr tomato passata
1 onion finely chopped
1 tsp oregano
4 tbsp olive oil
1/2 cup water
Simply mix together the minced meat with the egg, spices,herbs, salt and pepper. Mix well for about 5 minutes. When the mixture is ready create small patties and place one piece of feta cheese in each patty. Now shape the meatball.
Place the meatballs on a baking tray lined with parchment paper and drizzle with some olive oil. Bake in a pre heated oven at 180° for 30 minutes.
For the sauce: Add the olive oil and chopped onion in a pan. Saute the onion until soft. Pour the passata in the pan and add the spices, salt and pepper. Place the meatballs in the sauce, add half a cup water, cover with the lid and let it simmer on a low heat for 15 minutes.
Honestly, this is a very easy,filling and child friendly recipe! It can be enjoyed any time anywhere and it can even be served for a dinner party for…older children!
Sorry for the rant!
Ingredients
- 500 gr pork minced meat
- 1 egg
- 2 tbsp fresh chopped parsley
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 2 tsp dried mint
- 1 tsp oregano
- salt/pepper
- 100 gr feta cheese cut in cubes
- some olive oil to drizzle the meatballs
- For the sauce:
- 400 gr tomato passata
- 1 onion finely chopped
- 1 tsp oregano
- 4 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 cup water
Instructions
Step 1
Mix together the minced meat with the egg, spices,herbs,salt and pepper. Blend well together mixing for about five minutes
Step 2
Shape small patties the shape of a small lemon. Place one feta cheese cube in each patty and roll in a meatball.
Step 3
Place the meatballs in a baking tray lined with parchment paper. Drizzle with some olive oil.
Step 4
Pre-heat the oven at 180°C . When the oven is hot, bake the meatballs for 30 minutes.
Step 5
Prepare the sauce by adding the olive oil and chopped onion in a pan. Saute the onion for about 5 minutes and add the passata, oregano, mint,salt and pepper. Slowly add the meatballs in the sauce with half a cup water. Cover and let it simmer for 15 minutes on a low heat.
Notes
When serving sprinkle with some chopped parsley. You can easily make the meatballs, cook them, let them cool and place them in freezer bags. They can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months.
