This month, mum of one and author Jennifer Carroll has shared with us some delicious recipes from her new book, Jen’s Journey, to enjoy with your family and friends this summer.

We love this recipe for cheese-stuffed spicy meatballs, which are sure to be a crowd pleaser whether you are cooking for the family or entertaining guests.

Jennifer tells us: “This is a little bit different from the usual and has a bit of a kick. I find pasta and meat dishes very filling, so a few of these meatballs go a long way.”

Read more: How to make Black pudding flatbread with pickled onions, hummus, hollandaise and a fried egg for brunch

Ingredients

  • 800g 5% beef mince
  • 2 tbsp finely chopped pickled jalapeños, from a jar
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 1 tsp dried basil
  • 1 tsp onion granules
  • 100g light Cheddar cheese, cut into 20 cubes

For the sauce

  • 1 onion, finely diced
  • 2 garlic cloves, chopped
  • 1 red bell pepper, diced
  • 100g mushrooms, diced
  • 1 tbsp dried basil
  • 1 tbsp dried oregano
  • 1 tbsp dried parsley
  • ½ tsp chilli flakes
  • 400g tin chopped tomatoes
  • 2 tbsp tomato purée
  • 1 vegetable stock pot
  • Small handful fresh basil, to garnish
Cheese-Stuffed Spicy Meatballs
Cheese-Stuffed Spicy Meatballs

Method

  1. Preheat the oven to 190°C/170°C fan/gas mark 5.
  2. For the meatballs, mix the beef mince with the jalapeños, paprika, oregano, basil and onion granules.
  3. Take a small ball of mince, put it in the palm of your hand and flatten it out. Then place a cube of cheese in the centre, wrap the mince around the cheese to cover it, and then mould it into a meatball. You should end up with 20 meatballs.
  4. Put them on a baking tray and cook in the oven for about 15 minutes, shaking the tray halfway through so that they’re browned all over.
  5. While the meatballs are cooking, make the sauce. Spray a pan with cooking oil and soften the onion and garlic over a medium heat.
  6. Add the pepper. After 5 minutes, add the mushrooms, basil, oregano, parsley, chilli flakes, tinned tomatoes, tomato purée and the stock pot. Simmer for 20 minutes.
  7. Once the sauce is cooked, add the meatballs and scatter over some basil. Serve with pasta or on their own.

For more inspiring recipe ideas follow Jennifer on Instagram @jens_journey_ie. Jen’s Journey, €22.99, is available at all good bookstores nationwide.

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