THE EUROVISION VEGGIE MEATBALL BAKE

OK I know; Eurovision was almost a month ago now but it's taken me that much time to get over how great this veggie recipe is. Inspired by the 2016 Swedish hosts, I set about creating the best meatball dish I could to tuck into whist watching this years contest. In doing so, I came up with this veggie meatball bake. Quorn meatballs simmered in a bay, balsamic and red wine vinegar sauce which is then transferred to the oven after being slathered in mozzarella, mascarpone and green herbs which is so amazing it's going to be soaring up leader boards right across Europe! 

Veggie Meatball Bake

1 Chopped Red Onions

2 Grated Garlic Cloves

3 Bay Leaves
12 Quorn Meatballs

2 400g Tins Of Chopped Tomatoes

2 Tbsp Tomato Puree

2 Tsp Golden Caster Sugar

1 Tbsp Balsamic Vinegar

1 Tbsp Red Wine Vinegar

250g Mozzarella Cut Into 1cm Cubes

100g Mascarpone
2 Tsp Oregano

Handfull Chopped Basil Leaves

1. Place a large lightly oiled pan on a medium heat and chuck in the onions and garlic and fry until the onions begin to soften. Add in the bay leaves and the meatballs and fry for 2 more minutes until the meatballs start to brown slightly.
2. Add in the chopped tomatoes, tomato puree, caster sugar, balsamic and red wine vinegar and mix everything together. Bring everything to a boil and then reduce to a simmer for 20 minutes until the sauce has reduced and thickened slightly. Remove from the heat and leave to stand whilst you heat upyour oven to 200 degrees (180 fan)
3.  Transfer the meatballs and sauce to an oven proof dish and dot the mozzarella cubes over the top of the mixture. Spoon dollops of the mascarpone over the top and sprinkle the dollops with the oregano. 
4. Transfer the dish to the oven and bake for 20 minutes until the sauce is bubbling and the mascarpone has browned on top. Remove the dish from the oven and leave to rest for five minutes before scattering the chopped basil leaves over the top to serve.

Now the bake can be served in many ways. You can rustle up some spaghetti and turn the bake into the ultimate spaghetti meatballs dish or you can grill some ciabatta and make yourself the best meatball sub you will have ever. However you decide to serve your bake you are going to enjoy the flavors of that juicy meatballs engulfed in that rich and deep tomato sauce. The herby coolness of the oregano and basil topped mascarpone adds a great freshness to the bake whilst the mozzarella will be all stringy and gooey, perfect for any cheese lover out there. I'm sure after the votes have been calculated, this veggie meatball bake will be getting "Douze Points!"