Rachael's Daytime Talk Show
Little Lamb Meatballs and Spaghetti -- 12/16/10

Little Lamb Meatballs and Spaghetti

Ingredients

  • Meatballs:
  • 1 1/2 pounds ground lamb
  • 2 teaspoons fennel seeds, about 2/3 palmful
  • Salt and pepper
  • A couple of pinches of ground cloves
  • 2 cloves garlic, grated or minced
  • 1/4 cup chopped mint leaves
  • 1/4 cup finely chopped parsley
  • 3/4 to 1 cup breadcrumbs
  • EVOO - Extra Virgin Olive Oil, for liberal drizzling
  • 1 large egg
  • Savory Tomato Sauce:
  • 2 tablespoons EVOO - Extra Virgin Olive Oil
  • 1 onion, finely chopped
  • 3 to 4 cloves garlic
  • 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh oregano or marjoram or 1 teaspoon dried
  • Salt and pepper
  • 3 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 cup dry white wine
  • 1 28-ounce can San Marzano tomatoes
  • A couple of pinches of ground cloves
  • 1 large fresh bay leaf
  • 1 small cinnamon stick
  • 1 pound spaghetti or whole grain spaghetti

  • Pecorino cheese, for grating
  • Finely chopped mint and parsley, for garnish

Yields: Serves 4

Preparation

Preheat oven to 400°F.

Combine meatball ingredients in a bowl. Roll into small balls and roast on a baking sheet until golden and cooked through 12-15 minutes.

For the tomato sauce, heat EVOO, 2 turns of the pan, in a large skillet or saucepot over medium heat. Add onions and garlic, and season with oregano, salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until very tender, 10 minutes or so. Stir in tomato paste, 1 minute, then add wine and stir a minute more. Add tomatoes, breaking them up with spoon or masher, bay leaf and cinnamon stick. Let sauce reduce 30 minutes over low heat. Remove bay and cinnamon stick.

Cook pasta in salted, boiling water to al dente. Drain and place back in hot pot, toss with sauce and the meatballs. Serve in shallow bowls with Pecorino cheese, mint and parsley on top.