Baked Smoked Paprika, Apple and Thyme Meatballs
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Recipe type: Dinner, Supper, Comfort Food, Winter
Prep time: 
Cook time: 
Total time: 
Serves: 4-5
 
A warming and hearty "one pot" baked dish, packed with delicious flavour and nutrition.
Ingredients
  • 500g beef mince (I used Field and Flower)
  • 3 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1 small onion (optional)
  • 1 garlic clove (optional)
  • 1 400g tin cherry tomatos (I buy the Mr Organic cherry tomatoes)
  • 1 egg
  • 1 tsp oregano
  • 2 tsp thyme
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1tsp pepper
  • 2 small apples
  • 50g ground almonds
  • 100ml water
  • Olive oil
Instructions
  1. Pre-heat oven to 150°C / 300 °F
  2. Place ground almonds on a separate plate for later on
  3. In to a food processor place apples (remove core but keep skin) and blitz until finely chopped. Add onion and garlic (both optional) and blitz until combined and finely chopped
  4. Now add in ¾ of the beef mince + 2tsp smoked paprika +salt+pepper+oregano + egg and blitz until fully combined
  5. Add in remaining beef mince and pulse 2-3 times
  6. With clean hands roll in to meatballs. I usually make them about the size of a ping pong ball, roll in to ground almond mix just to lightly coat
  7. Grease the bottom of a cooking dish with olive oil then place meat balls in individually until all packed together (Makes about 18-20 meatballs)
  8. Place in oven for 10 - 15 minutes to seal
  9. Remove the pot from oven and carefully add the tin of cherry tomatoes (or homemade tomato sauce) + water (stir around carefully) and a generous sprinkle of paprika on top and a little thyme (you will use the rest to garnish)
  10. Place back in the middle of the oven for 20-25 minutes until bubbling and baked (the tops will have turned a gorgeous deep red)
  11. Sprinkle with a little sea salt, some more thyme and serve straight away
  12. Enjoy!
Recipe by at https://thelowcarbkitchen.co.uk/smoked-paprika-apple-and-thyme-meatballs/