Spicy Meatball Pizza

Ingredients:

For the Meatballs:
250g minced beef
30g Jalapeño chillies in brine (drained), chopped
1 tsp cumin seeds
1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
3 tbsp olive oil

For the Pizza:
1 scone pizza base
1 batch Tomato Sauce for Pizza
30g tinned pimento, sliced
2 rashers streaky bacon, cut into strips
60g mature Cheddar cheese, grated
olive oil for drizzling
salt and freshly-ground black pepper, to taste
chopped fresh parsley to garnish

Method:

Begin with the meatballs: combine the beef, chillies, cumin seeds, parsley and egg in a bowl. Mix together well then season. Take the mixture in your hands and form into 12 small meatballs. Place on a plate, cover and chill for 1 hour.

When the meatballs are firm add the oil to a frying pan, add the meatballs and fry until browned all over. As soon as they are cooked remove from the oil with a slotted spoon and drain on kitchen paper.

Turn the dough onto a lightly-floured work surface and roll into a 25cm diameter circle. Transfer to a greased baking tray then using your thumb and forefinger roll the edges of the pastry to form a rim. Spread the tomato sauce over the surface of the pizza then arrange the meatballs on top before scattering the pimento and bacon over everything. Scatter the cheese on top then drizzle with the olive oil and season.

Place in an oven pre-heated to 200°C and bake for about 18 minutes, or edges of the base are golden and crisp. Garnish with the chopped parsley and serve immediately.