Tright here is one thing deeply nostalgic about this dish, though it wasn’t one thing I grew up with. Maybe it’s using small pasta that makes me really feel childlike, however both approach, it’s the type of recipe that’s immensely versatile: it may be a chic, mild spring meal completed with punchy extra-virgin olive oil, an additional sprinkle of pepper and a grating of pecorino, or you possibly can label it kid-friendly and comforting. It’s not solely so, however I’d hazard a wager that they’ll take pleasure in it.
Spring meatballs with pasta and peas
Prep 10 min
Prepare dinner 30 min
Serves 4
1 bunch spring onions, trimmed and finely sliced
2 garlic cloves, peeled and finely sliced
50g breadcrumbs
½ bunch flat-leaf parsley, picked and finely chopped
A number of mint sprigs, leaves picked and finely chopped
400g pork mince
Juice and finely grated zest of 1 lemon
Sea salt and black pepper
Olive oil
1 litre rooster inventory, or vegetable inventory
180g mini pasta
150g peas, freshly podded or frozen
40g pecorino, grated
Put half the spring onions in a meals processor with half the sliced garlic, all of the breadcrumbs, half the chopped herbs and all of the mince. Add the lemon zest, season generously, then blitz till all of it comes collectively (you may, after all, combine it by hand in a bowl).
Roll the mince combination into small, roughly 2½cm balls. Set a big casserole pot on a medium warmth, drizzle in three tablespoons of olive oil and fry the meatballs for about 10 minutes, turning often, till browned and gnarly throughout.
Add the inventory to the pan and produce to a boil. Stir within the pasta and peas, then convey again to a boil and simmer for 5 to seven minutes, till the pasta is tender and the meatballs are cooked by way of. Off the warmth, stir within the lemon juice, then style the broth and modify the seasoning as wanted. End by stirring within the remaining herbs and serve topped with the grated pecorino.
