Ahhh… dinner. Of all the chores that come with daily life at home, this has to be amongst my least favourite. I do like cooking, I do. But it’s depressing to spend time making meals and then have them rejected by the tiny emperors I live with. (Those are my children, by the way).
But, I have to say that usually tomato based anything is a hit and using canned tomatoes makes everything beyond easier. Some tinned tomatoes taste a bit well, tinned so I always try to buy higher quality ones. I was recently introduced to these canned organic tomatoes by Muir Glen, a brand new to Canada.
I was impressed and I especially love the idea of fire roasted tomatoes to give a bit more flavour to a dish without even trying.
Muir Glen asked me to use their tomatoes in a dish and I knew immediately which family favourite I would make. It’s slightly different than your usual rush-hour canned tomato dinner but really good.
This recipe is originally from the Fine Cooking Annual cookbook but I’ve changed it and simplified it. I think this is a big thing to know – recipes can be changed. I know a lot of us don’t have the confidence to simplify recipes but just winging it or ignoring certain parts can often produce just as delicious results within less time. I rarely bother chopping and adding onions, and in this recipe I replaced chopped sun dried tomatoes with sun dried tomato pesto. Easy.
I made a lot of meatballs, but I like to have leftovers for lunches. You can always half the recipe, or freeze any meatballs you don’t want to use (just cook them first before you freeze and re-heat in the oven).
I’ve partnered with Muir Glen for a wonderful little contest and I can’t wait to hear what you have to say. Just head over to my Facebook page and let me know what your favourite dish is with canned tomatoes under the Muir Glen post. The winner will be chosen at random and will received a prize pack including:
-Fire Roasted Diced Organic Muir Glen Tomatoes
-Fire Roasted Crushed Organic Muir Glen Tomatoes
-Plain Diced Organic Muir Glen Tomatoes
-Crushed with Basil Organic Muir Glen Tomatoes
Plus a $50 PC Gift card.
Contest is open only to Canadian residents.
- 1kg beef mince
- ⅓ cup seasoned bread crumbs
- ⅔ cup shredded parmesan cheese
- ⅓ cup sun dried tomato pesto
- 1 28oz can fire roasted diced Muir Glen organic tomatoes
- 1 tbsp dried rosemary
- salt and pepper to taste
- couscous to serve over
- plain yoghurt (optional)
- Preheat oven to 400F
- Line a baking tray with aluminum foil for easy clean up
- mix together the beef mince, bread crumbs, parmesan cheese and tomato pesto
- create meatballs that are around the size of a golf ball and place on the baking try
- Baked at 400F for 25 minutes
- Place canned tomatoes and rosemary in a large pan
- Warm over medium heat. Add salt and pepper to taste
- Once the meatballs are cooked fully, add to the tomato sauce at let simmer around 5 minutes
- Serve over couscous (follow package instruct ructions) and add a dollop of yoghurt (optional)
- Note: If you want it a bit saucier, add some chicken stock.
This post was sponsored by Muir Glen. Thank-you for supporting the brands that make Roasted run.
Michelle Little
Writer & Photographer
