“Sugo alle Polpette” Italian sauce, for pasta, with meatballs. Recipe by Nives Torresi

Ingredients

Serves 4 for entree200 grams lean beef mince½ chopped or sliced onion 1 tablespoon chopped parsley 1 ½ tablespoons breadcrumbs 1 garlic clove, 1 small carrot 1 small stalk of celery

1 egg1 litre Italian tomato sauce

(passata)125 ml of white table wine½ cup extra virgin olive oilsalt & pepper to taste250 grams of pasta (penne)

Method - step one

In a pressure cooker add a splash of oil, sliced onion, garlic, carrot and celery.

Method - step two

In a mixing bowl add 200 grams mince meat, egg, parsley, splash of oil, salt & pepper

Method - step three

Mix all ingredients by hand (gloves if you like) then add the breadcrumbs ...

Method - step three cont...

… creating a homogeneous mixture

Method - step four

Let mixture rest for 15mins, then use a tablespoon to ‘measure’ the same amount for all meatballs

Method - step four ...

Check one to see if it is right for you… then make all the sized out lumps before shaping the rest of the meatballs

Method - step five

Finish making all the meatballs and place on tray

Method - step six

Go to pressure cooker and add wine to the vegetables

Method - step seven

Add meatballs and place inside the pressure cooker without overlapping

Method - step eight

Next add the red tomato sauce

Covering the meatballs in the pressure cooker

Then add a dash of oil plus Salt and Pepper

Method - step nine

Put the lid on the pressure cooker onto the stove top with flame on high and when it is whistling close the air valve and cook for 30 minutes on a very low flame

Method - step ten

When there are about 10 minutes to go for meatballs get the pasta water to boiling point - add rock salt (1 tablespoon) to boiling water, then add 250 grams of pasta (I used penne this time).

Remember to turn off flame for the pressure cooker and let it sit for at least 15 minutes before opening valve and lid.

You can use any pasta you like, but if you use fresh pasta then wait to cook it when the meatball sauce is ready, as fresh pasta cooks quickly.

Method - step eleven

What you should see when you open the pressure cooker

Method - step eleven cont...

Now remove the meatballs, carrot and celery stalk from the sauce - place them in a bowl or container.

This is what it should look like now...

Method - step twelve

Strain the pasta and add to a mixing bowl, then dress with a small amount of cooked sauce

Serving suggestion

Serve pasta into 4 plates and dress with extra sauce and add 3 meatballs on top, don’t forget the grated cheese!

Making changes to the recipe

If you don’t have or want to use a pressure cooker, then double the cooking time by using a medium sized pot. Bring to boil then simmer on very low heat for about 55-60 minutes.

Use same recipe for 6 people only change the amount of mince to 300 grams and add an extra ½ tablespoon of breadcrumbs and olive oil. Increase pasta to 400gm.

Recipe as is can also serve two as a main meal.Questions or comments are welcome, thank you.

Thank you

Cooking tutorial prepared by Mrs Nives Torresi