Youvarlakia - cooking recipe

Ingredients

1 lb ground beef
1/4 lb onion, grated
3 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 teaspoon oregano
1 teaspoon ground cumin
2 tablespoons minced flat leaf parsley
2 tablespoons finely chopped of fresh mint
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
salt, to taste
1/4 cup long-grain rice
4 tablespoons fruity olive oil
Tomato Sauce
1/2 cup finely chopped onion
4 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground cinnamon
1 tablespoon honey
2 lbs tomatoes, skinned,seeded and chopped
salt, to taste
freshly ground black pepper, to taste
4 fluid ounces vegetable broth or 4 fluid ounces water
2 tablespoons minced flat leaf parsley
2 tablespoons finely chopped of fresh mint
1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh basil

Preparation

Put the ground beef in a bowl with the grated onion, garlic, oregano, cumin, parsley, mint, and pepper and add salt.
Rinse, and then scald the rice by pouring boiling water over it in a bowl; leave to soak for 5 minutes.
Drain, add to the beef, and mix all ingredients well; form small sausage shapes.
Heat the oil in a large skillet and fry the meatballs until brown; drain on paper towels.
Add the onion to the oil remaining in the pan and fry over gentle heat until translucent.
Add the garlic, cinnamon, and honey and stir until caramelized.
Add the chopped tomato, season, and simmer for about 15 minutes until the sauce has reduced.
Add the vegetable broth and the meatballs; cover and simmer for 30 minutes.
Sprinkle with chopped herbs.