"I want to win a week in one of your Tuscany villas!"

Meatballs in tomato sauce serve on a plate of pasta and a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese has to  be my favourite Italian food. I love this dish because it remins me of my lovely holiday in Tascany a few years ago.

Spicy Italian Meatballs

For the meatballs:

· 1 onion, finely chopped

· 300 g lean minced beef

· 50 g fresh breadcrumbs
11 tablespoo greated Parmesan cheese

· 1 tsp chopped fresh oregano

· ½ tsp ground cumin

· 1 egg, beaten

· oil, for frying

For the sauce:

· 1 red chilli (chopped)

· 1 tbsp olive oil

· 1 onion, finely chopped

· 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped

· 175 ml beef stock

· 400 g canned chopped tomatoes

· 1 tbsp. tomato puree

· 1/2 cup chopped red pepper

· 1 tablespoon chopped chives

· Sprigs of basil

Mix the onion, beef in a mixing bowl. Add the breadcrumbs,Parmesan cheese, oregano, cumin and ½ teaspoon each of salt and pepper and mix well.

Add the egg and mix thoroughly. Roll the mixture into small balls.

Heat the oil in a frying pan, add the meatballs and fry for 5 minutes, turning occasionally, until browned. Set aside.

Finely chop the chilli. Heat the oil in a pan. Fry onion, chill and red pepper and garlic. Add in stock, tomatoes, tomato puree, and salt and pepper .Bring to the boil and simmer for 5 minutes.

Add the meatballs to the sauce and simmer for 10 minutes to heat through.

Serve with pasta:Sprinkle with grated Parmersan cheese, chopped chives and sprigs of basil.