Recipe #2 - Meatballs in Tomato Sauce

Winter is still with us - so what better than something both creative and homely - and once again better than anything you can buy in the shops. If you love pasta, this is great but you can also serve it with rice or mashed potato which of course you can cook in the pressure cooker at the same time - how eco is that?

Tip of the day on the Pressure Cooker front - always start your timings as soon as the pressure is reached; this is indicated by the 'hissing' noise which you will notice from your cooker. Also, always turn the heat down to low once you reach this point - thus saving fuel as well.

Meatballs in Tomato Sauce (serves four)

Ingredients: 750g minced beef, 1 onion chopped, 50g long grain rice, chilli powder (at least a quarter of a teaspoon), beaten egg, olive oil, 150ml water, tomato sauce, parsley.

Note on Tomato sauce - you can make your own quite easily but it needs to be smooth and not too thick. Horror of horrors! - I have used a tin of condensed tomato soup before (diluted with water as instructed on the can) and it works really well and saves time - but if you can, make your own. Also, I like to add garlic to the meatball mix but make sure its well chopped or crushed.......

Method:

1. Mix together the beef, onion, rice and chilli powder (and garlic if using) - season well.
2. Bind the mixture with the egg, then divide into 8 or 12 balls - I prefer smaller myself.
3. Heat the oil in the Pressure Cooker and brown your balls - not often you heard that instruction I would think! Make sure they are evenly browned.
4. Pour the tomato sauce over the meatballs
5. Seal the cooker and heat to high pressure - 15 minutes - then reduce at room temperature.

That's it! - serve with pasta like tagliatelle or noodles - they are best for this with the sauce. Garnish with chopped parsley.
I love this dish and if you can make your own pasta, even better. It sounds simple but your guests will be really impressed. Nice bottle of gutsy red to go with it - result!

Well, I do hope your cooking is going well and that the speed of the Pressure Cooker is giving you lots of free time and amazing you with its deep concentrated flavours - have you converted any of your friends into buying one yet?