Turkey meatballs with spaghetti

MAKES 4 PORTIONS (2 adults and 2 children)

Ingredients
2 tbsp olive oil
2 medium onions finely chopped (approx 200g unpeeled weight )
40g fresh white breadcrumbs (approx 2 slices)
50 ml well diluted chicken stock
250g turkey or chicken mince
1 small apple, peeled and grated
1 tsp fresh thyme leaves
½ tsp salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 tbsp flour to dust hands
3 tbsp sunflower oil for frying

TOMATO SAUCE
Use half the onion from above
1 clove garlic, crushed
2 x 400g tins chopped tomatoes
100 ml water / chicken stock
1 tbsp tomato puree
2 tsp sugar
¼ tsp oregano
pinch dried chilli flakes
salt and pepper

200g spaghetti
a little chopped basil (optional)

Method

• Heat the oil in a pan and fry the onions gently for about 10 minutes until softened.  Use half the onions for the meatballs and half for the tomato sauce.
• Soak the breadcrumbs in the stock or water for 5 minutes in a large bowl.
• To make the sauce, transfer half the sautéed onion to a pan. Add the crushed garlic and sauté for one minute. Add all the remaining ingredients and simmer covered for 7 minutes.
• To make the meatballs, add the mince, grated apple, thyme, sautéed onion, salt and pepper to the soaked breadcrumbs and mix.
• Using floured hands, form teaspoons of the mixture into small balls. Heat the sunflower oil in a frying pan and brown the meatballs.
• Transfer the meatballs to the pan of tomato sauce and simmer for 8 to 10 minutes uncovered.
• Cook the spaghetti according to the instructions.  Drain and toss with the sauce.  Sprinkle with a little chopped basil if you like.