Meatballs In Saffron-Almond Sauce - cooking recipe

Ingredients

MEATBALLS
400 g ground beef
400 g ground pork
50 g stale bread, crusts removed (2 slices)
milk
1 clove garlic, minced
3 tablespoons minced onions
2 tablespoons chopped parsley
1/2 teaspoon salt
freshly grated nutmeg
1 egg, beaten
flour
100 ml olive oil
SAUCE
40 g almonds, blanched and skinned
1 slice bread, cubed (25g)
3 tablespoons olive oil (*can use oil from frying of meatballs)
10 peppercorns
1/2 teaspoon saffron
1 clove
1/2 teaspoon salt
150 ml white wine
250 ml meat stock or 250 ml chicken stock
TO SERVE
lemon juice
chopped parsley
slivered fried onions

Preparation

Combine the meats in a bowl.
Soak the bread in enough milk to cover until soft.
Squeeze dry, and add to the meat along with the garlic, onion, parsley, salt, nutmeg and egg.
Knead well to make a smooth mixture.
Form into small balls.
Roll them in flour and fry very slowly in medium to hot oil until browned on all sides.
Remove and drain.
*The oil can be strained, and used for the 3 tablespoons needed in the sauce.
SAUCE: Fry the almonds, bread and garlic in the oil until golden.
Remove.
In a mortar, crush the peppercorns, saffron, clove and salt.
Place this in a food processor and add the almond/bread/garlic mix and wine.
Pulse to a smooth paste.
Combine this mixture, 3 tablespoons of oil, and the stock.
Bring to the boil, then add the fried meatballs.
Simmer the meatballs for 20 minutes in the sauce, adding a little more liquid if needed.
TO SERVE: Squeeze over some lemon juice to taste, sprinkle with the chopped parsley and slivered almonds.