Name: Veal and ricotta meatballs with salsa verde
Prep time: 40 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 55 min
Yield: 6
Ingredients: 500 gm ricotta; 500 gm finely minced veal; 100 gm finely grated parmesan; 2 eggs; Finely grated rind of 2 lemons; 50 ml olive oil; To serve: green salad (optional); Salsa verde; 1 cup (loosely packed) flat-leaf parsley; 2 tsp rosemary leaves; 3 anchovy fillets; 2 garlic cloves; 1 tbsp small salted capers, rinsed; 60 ml (¼ cup) extra-virgin olive oil; 1 tbsp red wine vinegar

Veal and ricotta meatballs with salsa verde

Australian Gourmet Traveller Italian recipe for veal and ricotta meatballs with salsa verde.

Serves 6

Prep

40M

Cook

15M

Total

55M

Based on Marco Canora’s excellent recipe in Salt to Taste, these are the lightest meatballs ever. You’ll need to begin this recipe a day ahead.

Ingredients

500 gm ricotta

500 gm finely minced veal

100 gm finely grated parmesan

2 eggs

Finely grated rind of 2 lemons

50 ml olive oil

To serve: green salad (optional)

Salsa verde

1 cup (loosely packed) flat-leaf parsley

2 tsp rosemary leaves

3 anchovy fillets

2 garlic cloves

1 tbsp small salted capers, rinsed

60 ml (¼ cup) extra-virgin olive oil

1 tbsp red wine vinegar

Method

Main

1.Place ricotta in a fine sieve placed over a bowl, cover with plastic wrap, weight with a plate and refrigerate overnight to drain.

2.Transfer ricotta to a bowl, add minced veal, parmesan, eggs and lemon rind, season to taste and mix well. Roll mixture into 24 golf-ball-sized pieces, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for flavours to develop (1-2 hours).

3.Meanwhile, for salsa verde, pound herbs, anchovies, garlic and capers in a large mortar and pestle to a coarse paste (you can also process ingredients in a small food processor), stir in extra-virgin olive oil and vinegar, season to taste, set aside.

4.Heat olive oil in a large frying pan over medium heat, add meatballs, in batches, and turn occasionally until golden and just cooked through (4-5 minutes). Serve hot with salsa verde and green salad.