Meatball stew

{ SERVES 3–4 }

The best way to enjoy this comforting meatball stew is by using the freshest ingredients possible, including a home-made stock or broth for a purer and deeper flavour.

1 red capsicum (pepper), seeded and finely chopped

1 small red onion, finely chopped

3 garlic cloves, finely chopped

6 olives, pitted and chopped

1 red chilli, seeded and finely chopped (optional)

500 g (1 lb 2 oz) minced (ground) beef or lamb

2 eggs

50 g (1¾ oz/½ cup) almond meal or ground cashews

2 teaspoons ground cumin

1 tablespoon paprika

sea salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

2 tablespoons coconut oil

2 carrots, finely chopped

2 celery stalks, thinly sliced

1 turnip, diced

500 ml (17 fl oz/2 cups) beef or chicken stock (see tip)

400 g (14 oz/2 cups) chopped tomatoes or 400 g (14 oz) tinned diced tomatoes

2 tablespoons coconut aminos

1 teaspoon grated lime zest

1 tablespoon lime juice

coriander (cilantro) leaves, to serve

1 avocado, peeled and sliced

coconut milk, to serve (optional)

Combine the capsicum, onion, garlic, olives and chilli in a bowl, then stir in the meat, eggs, almond meal, spices, and some salt and pepper. Using your hands, roll the mixture into walnut-sized balls.

Heat half the coconut oil in a large saucepan over medium heat and sauté the carrot, celery and turnip for about 10 minutes, until golden. Add the stock, tomatoes, coconut aminos and lime zest and juice, bring to the boil, then reduce the heat to low and simmer for 10–15 minutes, until the vegetables are cooked.

Meanwhile, heat the remaining oil in a frying pan over medium–high heat and, working in batches if necessary, brown the meatballs all over. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer the meatballs in their own juices for 15–20 minutes, until cooked through.

Share the meatballs between bowls, ladle over the vegetable stew and garnish with coriander, avocado slices and a dash of coconut milk, if using.

SUPERCHARGED TIP

If you don’t have time to cook up the broth yourself, many butchers now offer broths, and high-quality additive-free packaged versions are also available.