If LADY AND THE TRAMP were Vegetarian...

To start the New Year, a trip back to 1955 when Lady, a beautiful cocker spaniel met Tramp, a mongrel from the wrong side of the tracks. She decided, as many before and since, to, at least temporarily, relinquish the high life and experience the real world. Thus began many heart-warming adventures including the famous episode where they shared the spaghetti and meatballs.


SPAGHETTI AND ‘MEAT’BALLS

To serve 4 - makes 24 balls

FOR THE ‘MEAT’BALLS
2 vegetarian sausages, defrosted if frozen
300g Quorn mince
1 onion, finely chopped
2tbsp mixed herbs
150g fresh breadcrumbs
2 eggs, beaten with a fork
1tbsp olive oil
300ml vegetable stock
3tbsp Bisto instant gravy granules

FOR THE SAUCE
1 tbsp olive oil
3 garlic cloves, crushed
2 large tins chopped tomatoes
2 tbsp red wine vinegar
½ tsp caster sugar
1tbsp dried parsley
2tsp Spicy Italian herbs
2tbsp tomato ketchup

PLUS
spaghetti, to serve (about 100g per portion)
grated hard cheese, to serve

First make the meatballs.
Cut the veggie sausages into chunks and place in a large mixing bowl. Then mash as much as possible.
Heat the oil and fry the onion until soft. Add 50ml stock and stir.
Then add the mince, the rest of the stock and the Bisto. Stir well until all the stock has been absorbed.
Tip this into the bowl with the sausage mix and add the breadcrumbs, mixed herbs, eggs and lots of seasoning. (For smoother, softer balls blend at this stage. For coarser, more rustic balls leave the mixture as it is).
Heat oven to 220C/200C fan/gas 7.
Making sure your hands are well-floured, roll the mince mixture into golf-ball-size balls. (This can be a bit fiddly – you may need to wash your hands a few times)
Spread the balls out in a large roasting tin coat, then roast for 20-30 mins until browned.

Meanwhile, make the sauce. Heat the oil. Add the garlic and sizzle for 1 min. Stir in the tomatoes, red wine vinegar, sugar, tomato ketchup, herbs and seasoning. Simmer for 15-20 mins until slightly thickened.

Add the cooked meatballs to the pan to keep warm while you boil the spaghetti.
Spoon the sauce and meatballs over spaghetti and serve with grated hard cheese.