Beef & fonio meatballs with sweet potato stew

Active: 55 minutes; Total: 1 hour 55 minutes; Serves: 4 to 6

Fonio, cooked according to package direction, cooled	½ cup (measure after cooking!)
Onions, finely chopped	2 mediums
Parmesan, finely grated	1 ounce
Eggs, lightly beaten	1 large
Thyme, chopped	2 tablespoons
Garlic, finely chopped	4 cloves
Salt	1 ½ teaspoons + 3/4 teaspoon +
Pepper, freshly ground,	¼ teaspoon +
Beef, 80% lean ground	1 pound
Peanut oil	¼ cup + 2 tablespoons
Bay leaf, fresh
Tomatoes, whole peeled, crushed by hand	28 ounces
Chicken broth, low-sodium	1 cup + ½ cup
Sweet potato, peeled, cut into 1-inch pieces	1 medium

1. Combine fonio, 1-cup onions, cheese, egg, thyme, 2-teaspoon garlic, 1 ½-teaspoons salt, ½-teaspoon pepper in a food processor. 
2. Process until the mixture forms a coarse paste, about 30 seconds. 
3. Transfer fonio mixture to a large bowl; add ground beef and 1-cup onions. 
4. Using your hands, gently combine the meat mixture. 
5. Shape sixteen balls; place on a parchment-lined baking sheet. 
6. Cover and chill at least 1 hour, or up to 8 hours or overnight. 
7. Heat ¼-cup oil in a large high-sided skillet over medium heat. 
8. Add bay leaf, remaining onions (about 2 cups), and remaining garlic (about 2-teaspoons). 
9. Cook, stirring often, until onions are golden brown, 15 to 20 minutes. 
10. Add tomatoes, 1-cup broth, 3/4-teaspoon salt, and ¼-teaspoon pepper. 
11. Cook, stirring often, until the sauce has thickened, 15 to 20 minutes. 
12. Stir in sweet potato and remaining ½-cup broth. 
13. Reduce heat to medium-low; cover and cook, stirring occasionally, until the potato is almost tender, 18 to 24 minutes. 
14. Heat remaining 2-tablespoons oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. 
15. Working in batches if needed, cook meatballs in hot oil, turning occasionally, until browned on all sides, about 10 minutes; transfer to a plate. 
16. Nestle meatballs in skillet with sauce; cook, uncovered, over medium-low, until sweet potato is tender and meatballs are cooked through, 5 to 10 minutes. 
17. Season with salt and pepper to taste; garnish with parmesan. 

Recipe from Food&Wine Magazine, March 2021.