meatball sliders

INGREDIENTS

• 1/2 pound ground beef
• 1/2 pound ground pork
• 1/2 pound ground veal
• 1/2 cup panko (Japanese breadcrumbs) or fresh breadcrumbs
• 1/2 cup water
• 8 tablespoons freshly grated Pecorino Romano cheese, divided
• 1 large egg
• 1 large egg yolk
• 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 cup chopped onion
• 6 garlic cloves, chopped
• 1/4 cup (packed) fresh basil leaves
• 1 1/2 teaspoons fennel seeds
• 1 28-ounce can whole peeled tomatoes
• 1 14.5-ounce can whole peeled tomatoes
• 18 very small soft rolls, split horizontally, or Roasted Garlic Buns (recipe below)
• 3/4 cups warm water
• 1 tablespoons molasses
• 1/8 ounce fresh yeast or 1/2 teaspoon instant yeast*
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 whole bulb garlic