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A Superior Meatball Sub
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 2 hours 30 minutes
Course Lunch, Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 3 people

Equipment

  • Hand Blender

Ingredients
  

  • 3 Buns, baguettes, or bread rolls
  • 0.5 kg minced beef [1 lb]
  • 1 onion (optional)
  • 3 cloves of garlic, chopped or crushed
  • 5 ripe tomatoes
  • 1 cup red wine
  • 1 celery head (celeriac)
  • 1 tsp ground nutmeg
  • 1 tsp sugar
  • 3 slices cheese (Gauda, Gruyere or etc.)
  • canola oil

Instructions
 

The Sauce

  • Boil 1.5-2 liters [0.5 gallons] of water and pour into a large bowl.
  • Cut a small X on the bottom side of the tomatoes.
  • Place the tomatoes in the hot water for a few minutes.
  • Take the tomatoes out, and after they cool a bit, peel them from the X marks. Cut the tomatoes into cubes.
  • Cut the onion into small pieces.
  • Peel clean and cut the celery root into quarters.
  • In a pot sauté the onion in a bit of oil over low to medium heat, until it becomes translucent.
  • Add the garlic and let it cook for a minute until its fragrance changes from spicy to sweet.
  • Add the tomatoes, wine, celery root, and spices and bring to a boil. Lower the heat and cook for about an hour.
  • Take out the celery root and discard it. Use a hand blender to pureé the sauce.

The Meat

  • While the sauce is cooking, heat a pan and add a bit of canola oil.
  • Add the minced beef and salt it.
  • Use a spatula to break the minced beef into small parts and let it cook fully.
  • Use a spoon to carefully remove water exuding from the beef.

Finish the dish

  • Add the beef to the sauce and let it cook without a top on low heat, until almost all of the liquids have evaporated (check out the image above). It will take about an hour.
  • Stir occasionally to prevent the sauce from burning, especially in the end when most of the liquids have evaporated.
  • Place the beef in half a bun or bread roll, and cover with a slice or two of cheese.
  • Place the open bun with the meat and cheese in an oven set to 180°c (360°F), until the cheese melts (around 10 mins).
  • Serve with mayonnaise and whichever vegetables you like to add to the sub - onions, scallions, basil leaves, or even sauerkraut.