Fans of the Mediterranean diet will love our delicious take on these Mediterranean meatballs in tomato sauce with veggies.

SERVES 4 // COOKING TIME 1 hour 50 min

INGREDIENTS
For the veggies
1 brinjal, cubed
6 baby marrows, thickly sliced
1 red pepper, seeded and chopped
1 yellow pepper, seeded and chopped
1 red onion, roughly chopped
2 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp chilli flakes
For the Mediterranean meatballs
500 g beef mince
1 onion, finely chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
½ cup grated hard cheese
2 tsp chopped origanum
1 egg, beaten
½ cup breadcrumbs
For the tomato sauce
2 tbsp olive oil
1 red onion, sliced
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 tin chopped tomatoes
1 tsp brown sugar
½ cup basil, torn

METHOD
For the veggies
1. Preheat oven to 200°C.
2. Toss the prepared vegetables in the olive oil and chilli flakes, and season.
3. Roast for 30 minutes.
For the Mediterranean meatballs
1. Combine all the ingredients. Divide up and roll into balls. Heat a pan over medium-high heat and fry until browned.
For the tomato sauce
1. Heat some olive oil over medium heat.
2. Sauté the red onion for 3 minutes. Add the garlic and sauté some more.
3. Add the tomatoes, sugar and basil. Simmer over medium-low heat for 30 minutes. Season to taste. Cool slightly
4. Blend in a food processor until smooth.
5. Add the tomato sauce and the meatballs to a large pan over low heat and simmer for 15 minutes, until the meatballs are cooked through.
6. Serve with the roast vegetables.

Recipe & styling: Kate Turner
Photography: Samantha Pinto // HMimages.co.za

This chicken bento box is another Mediterranean diet favourite of ours.