Meatballs with Currants and Pine Nuts

For meatballs

• 1 pound chopped beef, preferably chuck (a fatty cut is better here)
• 2 eggs
• 3/4 cups plain bread crumbs—if you have stale bread you want to run through the food processor, so much the better
• 1/4 cup freshly grated parmigiano
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 1/4 cup milk
• 2 tablespoons olive oil, plus 2 more tablespoons reserved or browning
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
• 1/2 cup currants
• 1/2 cup pine nuts, toasted
• 1/2 cup Italian parley, chopped

For sauce

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 28 ounces can chopped or whole (the better choice) tomatoes
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste
• 1/4 cup red wine
• 2 teaspoons sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 cup basil leaves, packed

1. Throw all the meatball ingredients into a large bowl and blend well with your hands. Shape into balls (you choose the size).
2. In a large skillet, best the reserves 2 tablespoons of olive oil and saute the meatballs until they are browned on all sides. Remove to a plate lined with two paper towels.
3. For the sauce: Heat the olive oil in a large saute pan over medium heat, then add the tomatoes (and their juices, breaking them up with your hands, if using whole, which you really should be), and tomato paste. Add wine, sugar, salt, and meatballs. Bring to a simmer, then lower hear to medium-low; cook, stirring often, for 40 minutes. Serve garnished with basil leaves.