Meatballs in Sofrito Sauce

Meatballs in a flavorful Puerto Rican sauce.

Sofrito is a rich sautéed mixture of onion, peppers and garlic that makes a great tomato sauce. It is used in many Puerto Rican dishes. Use a lean ground beef, but not the leanest, so that the meatballs will be tender.

46 min Prep: 15 min Cook: 31 min
Serves: 10 Save

Ingredients (24)

  • Sofrito Sauce:
  • 2 tablespoon vegetable oil
  • 1 cup onion, chopped
  • 1 cup chopped red or green bell pepper
  • 2 clove garlic, minced
  • 1 can (14-oz) diced tomatoes, undrained
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1/3 cup cilantro sprigs
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon Coarsely ground black pepper
  • Meatballs:
  • 1 pound lean ground beef
  • 1/3 cup chopped pimiento-stuffed green olives
  • 1 egg lightly beaten
  • 3 tablespoon dried breadcrumbs
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon Coarsely ground black pepper
  • 2 tablespoon vegetable oil
  • Lime-Cilantro Gremolata:
  • 1 lime
  • 1 tablespoon minced fresh cilantro
  • 1 clove garlic, minced

Directions

  1. To prepare sofrito sauce, heat oil in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Add onion, pepper and garlic; saute 10 minutes or until tender.
  2. Place onion mixture and remaining sauce ingredients in blender or food processor; process until smooth. Set aside.
  3. To prepare meatballs, combine beef and next 7 ingredients (beef through black pepper) in a medium bowl; shape mixture into 30 (1-inch) meatballs. Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add meatballs; cook until brown on all sides, about 6 minutes. Drain well; return to pan.
  4. Add sofrito sauce; bring to boil. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer 10 minutes. Uncover and cook until meatballs are done and sauce thickens, about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Spoon into a serving bowl or individual shot glasses.
  5. To prepare gremolata, grate rind from lime, reserving lime for another use. Combine lime rind, cilantro and garlic in a small bowl. Sprinkle over meatballs. Serves 10.