pat's Recipe

Italian Meatballs in Caper-Tomato Sauce (f&w)

Category: ITALIAN

Ingredients
1 1/2 pounds plum tomatoes, peeled and chopped
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon nonpareil capers, drained and chopped
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
Kosher salt
1/2 cup crustless bread, torn in 1/2-inch pieces
3 tablespoons milk
1/2 pound ground pork
1/2 pound ground beef
1 large egg, lightly beaten
2 pitted kalamata olives, minced
1 tablespoon freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese
1 tablespoon minced parsley

Directions
In a blender or food processor, puree the tomatoes. In a saucepan, heat 1 tablespoon of the oil. Add the pureed tomatoes and bring to a boil. Simmer over moderate heat, stirring, until the sauce starts to thicken, about 5 minutes. Add the capers and oregano and simmer until the sauce is reduced to 1 1/4 cups, 5 minutes. Season with salt; keep warm.
Meanwhile, in a small bowl, cover the bread with the milk. Let stand until the bread has absorbed the milk, about 5 minutes.
In a large bowl, combine the ground pork and beef. Add the milk-soaked bread, egg, olives, cheese, parsley and 1 teaspoon of salt. Mix well with your hands and shape the mixture into 1 1/2-inch meatballs.
In a large skillet, heat the remaining 1 tablespoon of oil. Add the meatballs and cook over moderately high heat until starting to brown, about 1 minute. Reduce the heat to moderate and cook until browned all over and cooked through, about 8 minutes. Drain the meatballs and transfer to a platter. Pour the hot tomato sauce on top and serve.


Make Ahead
The uncooked meatballs and the tomato sauce can be refrigerated separately for up to 2 days. Bring the meatballs to room temperature before cooking them.
Serves 4.