Lamb and aubergine meatballs
1 hour 50 mins cooking time
Lamb and aubergine meatballs
Method
1
Preheat your oven to 190C/170C fan/gas mark 5.
2
Cut the aubergine in half lengthways and score the flesh. Melt 25g of Lurpak® butter and brush all over the aubergine. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Place on a baking tray and cook in the oven for about 30 mins until the flesh is very soft. Spoon the flesh out of the aubergine and set aside in a large bowl.
3
In a saucepan, with another 25g of the Lurpak® butter gently sweat the chopped onion and garlic until soft. Remove half and set aside for the meatball mix. Add the tinned tomatoes into the pan with a pinch of salt and cook for half an hour, stirring occasionally.
4
Meanwhile, mix together the onions and garlic you set aside, with the aubergine, beef mince, lamb mince, breadcrumbs, all of the spices and dried herbs, lemon zest, fresh herbs and the beaten egg, until well combined. Season with salt and black pepper. At this point you can gently fry off a little of the mix to taste for flavour and seasoning.
5
Roll the meatball mixture into 16 even sized balls. Place in an ovenproof dish then cover and surround with the tomato sauce. Dot in the remaining 50g of the Lurpak® butter around the dish and bake in the oven for 30-40 minutes until the meatballs are cooked all the way through. Serve with crusty bread and a green salad.
