Recipe: Albodingas, mash and griddled asparagus

I am always on the hunt for a good recipe, that can fit in with the Slimming World plan and is tasty, nutritious and that my husband and I can enjoy on a week night! I found this recipe in an old copy of Slimming World magazine, so it fits the bill nicely.

Albondigas are Spanish meatballs, in a tomato-based sauce. You could play with flavours here and mix in some chillis, chorizo, anything you can think of! I kept this attempt plain and simple.

Ingredients:
For the meatballs:
794 g lean minced pork (though I am using beef)
3 garlic cloves
1 egg yolk
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp ground coriander
1 tsp ground nutmeg
1 tsp ground cinnamon
salt and pepper
For the sauce:
fry light
1 onion, finely chopped
1 garlic clove
2 x 400g chopped tomatoes
1/4 tsp artificial sweetener
1 tsp smoked paprika
salt and pepper

Handful fresh flat leaf parsley

Method:

1. Put the mince, garlic, egg yolk and spices in a bowl and, using your fingers, mix well until combined. Season. Cover and chill in the fridge for 1-2 hours.

Getting the mince mixture ready

2. To make the sauce, heat a large frying pan sprayed with fry light and add the onion and garlic.
Cook over a medium heat for 5-6 minutes. Add the tomatoes, sweetener and paprika and bring to the boil.

3. Reduce the heat to low, cover and simmer gently for 12-15 minutes, stirring occasionally.

4. For the meatballs, make small balls from the mince mixture (allow 5-6 per serving). Add the meatballs to the sauce in a single layer and stir gently.

5. Continue to cook over a gentle heat for 12-15 minutes, or until the meatballs are cooked through and the sauce has thickened. Remove from the heat and season to taste.

Bubbling away

6. Serve in warm bowls, scattered with chopped parsley.

While all the above is going on, I made the mash and griddled the asparagus in a dry griddle pan so it charred nicely. (This takes about 4 minutes each side).

The easiest and tastiest asparagus ever

Let me know if you make this - I would love to see pictures. If you are on the SW plan, this is free (aside from any margarine you might put in the mash). Enjoy! :)

Finished product