Ingredients

  • 1 pound bacon, sliced into lardons
  • 1/2 cup olive oil
  • 1 carrot, chopped
  • 1 stalk celery, chopped
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary leaves, minced
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 1 1/2 glasses Chianti
  • 3 tablespoons cider vinegar
  • 1 small can tomato paste
  • 1 small can chipotle peppers in adobo
  • 3 (28-ounce) cans chopped tomatoes
  • Sea salt, preferable grey
  • Freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 pound ground sirloin
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 tablespoons Parmesan, freshly grated
  • 2 tablespoons finely chopped flat-leaf parsley
  • 1 teaspoons dried oregano
  • 1 tablespoon finely chopped basil leaves
  • 1 cup onion, finely chopped
  • 1 cup fine dried bread crumbs
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • Sea salt, preferably grey
  • Freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 cup water

Method

  • Heat a large soup pot over medium-high heat.
  • Add the olive oil and heat for 1 minute.
  • When the oil is hot, add the bacon and render.
  • When golden brown and beginning to crisp, add minced carrot, celery, onion, and garlic.
  • Add a pinch of salt and saute vegetables to a light brown.
  • Add rosemary and brown sugar and stir.
  • Add Chianti and vinegar to pot, stir and bring to boil.
  • Add the tomato paste, chipotles in adobo, and the chopped tomatoes.
  • Stir and simmer for 1 to 1 1/2 hours, skimming the top occasionally to remove any scum that forms.
  • In a large bowl, mix together the meat, egg, Worcestershire, cheese, parsley, oregano, basil, onion, bread crumbs, and garlic, and season with salt and pepper.
  • Add 1/2 cup of water.
  • Knead the water into the meat mixture with your hands.
  • Knead and roll meatballs into about 1 1/2-inch balls.
  • Place them in shallow saucepan on stove, add another 1/2 cup of water over them, and cover.
  • Turn heat to medium, and steam for 35 minutes.
  • Using a slotted spoon, remove the meatballs from the pan.
  • Drain the juice out of the bottom of the pan, return the meatballs to it and cover them with warm BBQ gravy.
  • Serve on top of Grilled Spaghetti.
  • Chef's Notes: Serve the BBQ meatballs with grilled spaghetti for a new smoky twist on spaghetti and meatballs.