Easy Meatball Stew

It has been raining in Singapore for the past few days. Raining, as in actual rains!!…not pouring. The rains in SG bring with it a temporary relief from the heat but leaves behind a host of diseases and illnesses. Most of DD’s classmates and my friends’ kids are down with fever, cough or sore throat. When it is rainy and wet and cool outside, one would really want something warm and comforting. On such rainy days and gloomy weathers, the most welcoming dish would be a warm hearty soup or a stew.

DD loves soup – any soup will do for her as long as it is warm, simple and delicious. When it comes to stews she is a total admirer and appreciates it well. The best part of stews is that you can incorporate as many veggies as you would like and nothing beats a good stew with meat and veggies. It becomes a balanced meal packed with proteins, vitamins and other vital nutrients.

This recipe is easy and authentic. For meatballs you can use either beef or lamb meat. I have used lamb meat. I have also added veggies like potatoes and carrots which makes it more wholesome. The stew is slow-cooked on a low flame with garlic, onions, tomatoes, cayenne pepper and cumin powder until the meatballs and veggies are light and fork-tender. I did not have fresh herbs. So I rather chose to use a mix of dried herbs like thyme, basil, rosemary, sage and oregano which gives this stew a robust flavor. It is important to mix in the dried herbs during cooking so that there is  enough time for the herbs to infuse flavor into the dish.

Meatballs stew is a perfect treat on a cold rainy day. It is aromatic, deliciously fragrant, wholesome and substantial. I served the stew with buttered herb rice. A happy meal is equal to a happy tummy and happy faces!!

Ingredients:

Minced meat – 1 kg (beef / lamb)

For the meatballs you will need:

Cayenne pepper / Red chilli powder – 1 tbsp

Cumin powder – 1 tbsp

Coriander leaves – finely chopped

Salt – as per taste

For the Stew you will need:

Bay leaf – 1-2

Onion – 1 large finely chopped

Garlic – 7-8 cloves finely chopped / crushed

Tomatoes – 2 large finely chopped

Hunt’s tomato paste – 1-2 tbsp

Red chilli powder / Cayenne pepper powder – 1 tbsp

Cumin powder – 1 tbsp

Potatoes – 1 large cubed

Carrots – 1 (cut into chunks)

Mixed dried herbs – mix of rosemary, thyme, basil, oregano and sage (1 tbsp)

Black pepper powder – 1 tsp

Salt – as per taste

Recipe:

1. Prepare the meatballs. Take the minced meat. Add cayenne pepper, cumin powder, salt and chopped coriander leaves. Mix and knead well.

Wet your hands and make meatballs out of the mix.

2. Take some oil in a pan. Fry and sear the meatballs until they get a dark brown colour on the surface.

3. For the stew, take the same pan in which the meatballs were seared. Add 1 bay leaf.

Add the crushed garlic and saute for about a min.

4. Add the chopped onions and saute until they turn translucent.

5. Once the onions are translucent, add the diced potatoes and carrots. Saute for 2-3 mins.

6. Then add the chopped tomatoes. Mix well. Also add the Hunt’s tomato paste. Add the cayenne pepper and cumin powder. Mix well.

Cover with a lid and cook until the tomatoes turn mushy and everything is incorporated well. 

7. Add water or stock (one-and-half cups). Add salt, black pepper powder and mixed dried herbs. Let this come to a boil.

Once it starts boiling, add in the meatballs.

8. Cover with a lid and put the flame on low. Slow cook until the meatballs are cooked through and the potatoes carrots are fork-tender. It took me around 20-25 mins.

Serve warm and healthy meatballs stew with herb and butter rice. Enjoy!!