Spicy Pork Meatballs in Brothy Tomatoes and Toasted Fennel

Step 1/7

• 1 cloves garlic (grated)
• 10 g chives
• 10 g parsley
• 62½ g full-fat Greek yogurt
• 1 tsp fennel seeds
• 1 tsp smoked paprika powder (ground)
• ¾ tsp flaky sea salt
• ½ tsp chili flakes

• bowl (large)

Place the grated garlic in a medium bowl along with the chives (finely chopped), parsley (finely chopped, tender leaves and stems), yogurt, fennel seeds, paprika, salt, and crushed red pepper flakes. Mix until well combined.

Step 2/7

• 375 g mixed ground meat
• pepper

• baking sheet

Add the meat (ground pork, lamb, beef, and/or turkey (feel free to mix!)), season with pepper, and, using your hands, mix until well combined. Roll the mixture into balls about 1 inches in diameter (about the size of a plum; I like these meatballs on the smaller side). Place on a baking sheet or large plate.

Step 3/7

• 1 tbsp olive oil

• sauté pan
• tongs
• platter

Heat the olive oil in a large, heavy-bottomed dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add a few meatballs at a time, taking care not to crowd the pot. Cook, using tongs or a spatula to occasionally gently rotate them, until they are all golden brown all over (they may not hold their perfectly round shape, but that is more than okay), 8 to 10 minutes. As the meatballs are browned, transfer them to a large serving platter or plate. Leave the remaining bits and fat in the pot.

Step 4/7

• ½ shallot
• 2 cloves garlic

• cooking spoon

Add the shallot (thinly sliced) and sliced garlic to the pot and season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the shallot is tender and the garlic starts to brown a bit, 2 to 3 minutes.

Step 5/7

• 375 g cherry tomatoes
• 2 tbsp distilled white vinegar

Add the tomatoes (sungold or cherry tomatoes) and season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until they burst and start to become all saucy and caramelize a bit on the bottom of the pot, 5 to 8 minutes. Add the vinegar (distilled white vinegar orwhite wine vinegar) and 3 cups of water, scraping up any bits along the bottom. Bring to a strong simmer and reduce the sauce by about one-fourth, just until it thickens slightly (it should still be relatively brothy), 5 to 7 minutes.

Step 6/7

Return the meatballs to the pot and reduce the heat to medium-low. Simmer until the meatballs are cooked through and the flavors have melded, 10 to 15 minutes.

Step 7/7

• 10 g mint
• Pecorino cheese (for serving)
• bread (for serving)

• grater

Remove from the heat. To serve, top the meatballs (either in individual bowls or right in the pot) with the mint and more crushed red pepper flakes and fennel seeds, if you like. Drizzle with some olive oil and serve with the cheese (pecorino or parmesan) for grating and some toast (or crusty bread) for dipping.

Enjoy your meal!