Classic meatballs with pasta sauce

INGREDIENTS

• 5 tbsp olive oil
• 1 medium white onion
• 1 celery
• 1 carrot
• 1 garlic
• 500g/1lb 2oz beef
• 3 tbsp tomato purée
• 4 x 400g/14oz cans peeled plum tomatoes
• 1 x 680g/1lb 8oz jar tomato passata
• 2 tsp sea salt
• 1 bouquet garni
• 2 bay leaves
• 50ml/2fl oz Marsala wine
• splash balsamic vinegar
• 15–20 basil
• salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 150g/5½oz raisins
• 100g/3½oz sourdough bread
• 6 sprigs thyme
• 12 sage
• 24 mint
• 24 flat-leaf parsley
• 5 garlic
• 100g/3½oz pine nuts
• 3 free-range eggs
• (optional) Worcestershire sauce
• 100g/3½oz pecorino
• 500g/1lb 2oz lamb mince
• 500g/1lb 2oz beef mince
• or vegetable oil, for frying sunflower oil