Italian Meatballs in Caper-Tomato Sauce
Recipe from Food & Wine

Milk-soaked bread helps make chef Massimiliano Alajmo's beef-and-pork meatballs incredibly light; bits of chopped olive make them extra-flavorful. The thick tomato sauce coats the meatballs nicely and doubles as an excellent pasta sauce.


Italian Meatballs in Caper-Tomato Sauce
David Cicconi

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Ingredients
  • 1 1/2  pounds
    plum tomatoes, peeled and chopped
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  • 2  tablespoons
    extra-virgin olive oil
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  • 1  tablespoon
    nonpareil capers, drained and chopped
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  • 1/2  teaspoon
    dried oregano
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    Kosher salt
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  • 1/2  cup
    crustless bread, torn into 1/2-inch pieces
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  • 3  tablespoons
    milk
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  • 1/2  pound
    ground pork
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  • 1/2  pound
    ground beef
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  • 1 
    large egg, lightly beaten
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  • 2 
    pitted kalamata olives, minced
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  • 1  tablespoon
    freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese
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  • 1  tablespoon
    minced parsley
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Directions
1.
In a blender or food processor, puree the tomatoes. In a saucepan, heat 1 tablespoon of the oil. Add the pureed tomatoes and bring to a boil. Simmer over moderate heat, stirring, until the sauce starts to thicken, about 5 minutes. Add the capers and oregano and simmer until the sauce is reduced to 1 1/4 cups, 5 minutes. Season with salt; keep warm.
2.
Meanwhile, in a small bowl, cover the bread with the milk. Let stand until the bread has absorbed the milk, about 5 minutes.
3.
In a large bowl, combine the ground pork and beef. Add the milk-soaked bread, egg, olives, cheese, parsley and 1 teaspoon of salt. Mix well with your hands and shape the mixture into 1 1/2-inch meatballs.
4.
In a large skillet, heat the remaining 1 tablespoon of oil. Add the meatballs and cook over moderately high heat until starting to brown, about 1 minute. Reduce the heat to moderate and cook until browned all over and cooked through, about 8 minutes. Drain the meatballs and transfer to a platter. Pour the hot tomato sauce on top and serve.

MAKE AHEAD
The uncooked meatballs and the tomato sauce can be refrigerated separately for up to 2 days. Bring the meatballs to room temperature before cooking them.
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