This is an Italian style meatball recipe made into a big meatball or loaf, based on a recipe my mum makes with spaghetti.

You can vary the flavourings, but this is the basic recipe I made last night. It was great hot and is great sliced when cold.

I used:

400g organic minced (ground) beef
2 big handfuls of grated fresh parmesan
1 chopped garlic clove
tbs chopped parsley
tbs chopped basil
tbs chopped rosemary
tsp salt and pepper
tbs tomato paste
1 beaten egg
4 chopped spring onions (scallions)
4 pieces of parma ham

Mix all ingredients except parma ham well and form into a rough elongated meatball.

Wrap completely with the parma ham.

Put in a foil lined loaf pan and spalsh with olive oil.

Bake at 220/450 for about an hour until juices run clear when prodded with a skewer.

Let rest for 10 mins before slicing and serving with a tomato sauce

Additional Flavours:

ground fennel seeds
chopped sundried tomatoes
chopped roasted pepper
Italian/sicilian sausage to make up half of the beef (my fave)

This is really versatile and leftovers are great, fried in olive oil or grilled for breakfast with a fried egg