Meatballs in Tomato Sauce (Albóndigas Ahogadas)

Name: Meatballs in Tomato Sauce (Albóndigas Ahogadas)
Yield: Serves 5 servings
Ingredients: 1.3 lbs (600 grams) ground beef; 1/4 cup panko breadcrumbs (1 oz. / about 28 grams); 1 large egg, beaten; 1/4 onion, chopped; black pepper; ground cumin; ground celery seed; dried oregano; salt, to taste; 7 oz (200 grams) Chihuahua cheese (or substitute Monterey Jack); For the sauce:; red tomatoes; garlic; onion; ground cumin; fresh basil; leaf bay; cayenne pepper; jalapeño pepper; salt

Eduardo Beltran Rodriguez @cook_7581625

Meatballs in Tomato Sauce (Albóndigas Ahogadas)

Eduardo Beltran Rodriguez @cook_7581625

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Ingredients

Serves 5 servings

1.3 lbs (600 grams)ground beef
1/4 cuppanko breadcrumbs (1 oz. / about 28 grams)
1large egg, beaten
1/4onion, chopped
black pepper
ground cumin
ground celery seed
dried oregano
salt, to taste
7 oz (200 grams)Chihuahua cheese (or substitute Monterey Jack)
For the sauce:
red tomatoes
garlic
onion
ground cumin
fresh basil
leafbay
cayenne pepper
jalapeño pepper
salt

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Steps

1

In a bowl, combine the ground beef with the chopped onion, beaten egg, cumin, oregano, black pepper, salt, and panko breadcrumbs.
2

Mix everything together and knead until you have a smooth, manageable mixture with all ingredients well distributed.
3

Shape the mixture into meatballs of your desired size, making sure they are uniform for even cooking. Place them in the freezer for 20 minutes.
4

Brown the meatballs in oil to sear them and give them a crispy exterior.
5

For the sauce: Char the tomatoes, garlic (with skin), onion, and jalapeño pepper over a grill or open flame until well blackened.
6

Once charred, soak the chile, tomatoes, and garlic in water to remove the skins. Place them in a bowl, add salt, cayenne pepper, ground celery seed, oregano, cumin, bay leaf, basil, and the charred onion. (Note: Adjust the amount of these ingredients to your taste. The sauce should be aromatic, so consider the flavors carefully.) Blend everything until you have a smooth sauce.
7

Lightly oil a baking dish and arrange the meatballs close together. Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C). Pour the sauce over the meatballs so they are well covered, then sprinkle with cheese. Use just a little cheese, as the meat should be the main flavor.
8

Bake for 20 minutes. Enjoy!