Tuna Meatballs in Tomato, Eggplant, and Harissa Sauce

In Hong Kong, Pro-Democracy Lawmakers Released on Bail As City Engulfed in Violence

In Hong Kong, seven pro-democracy lawmakers have been granted bail after appearing in a local court in the afternoon of Nov. 11. The seven lawmakers—Eddie Chu, Au Nok-hin, Raymond Chan, Gary Fan, Kwok Ka-ki, Leung Yiu-chung, and Lam Cheuk-ting—were accused of violating article 19 of the Legislative Council Ordinance, which deals with assault and obstruction of members of the city’s Legislative Council (LegCo). Police brought charges against the lawmakers because of a May 11 incident, when several lawmakers got into a scuffle while debating the since-withdrawn extradition bill that ignited the ongoing protests. Local prosecutors alleged that the seven lawmakers obstructed three members of the pro-Beijing party Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong (DAB) on May 11, according to local media. The seven appeared in the…

Inspired by the flavors of Sicily, I bring you this special dish. It’s made with fresh tuna belly, but would work just as well with ground beef or chicken. Lots of bold flavors come together in a comforting stew that hits the spot time and time again. —Leetal Arazi

Serves 6

For the sauce:

1/2 cup olive oil
5 cups peeled and diced eggplant
3 garlic cloves, minced
4 tablespoons harissa, such as NY Shuk’s Signature Harissa
2 tablespoons harissa dry spice mix, such as NY Shuk’s Herby Harissa
1 28-ounce can tomatoes
1 cup water
1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
2 tablespoons Uzbek raisins (or any raisins you prefer or have on hand)
1/4 cup basil leaves, roughly chopped

For the tuna meatballs:

1 1/2 pound tuna belly, finely chopped (see Note)
1/4 cup pine nuts, toasted, plus 2 tablespoons for garnish
3/4 cup parsley, chopped
3 tablespoons breadcrumbs
2 eggs, beaten
2 teaspoon Baharat
1/4 cup Parmesan cheese (optional)
Salt, to taste
Sunflower oil, for frying

For the sauce: Warm oil in a medium pot and add the diced eggplant. Cook until the eggplants are golden, for about 10–15 minutes. Add garlic, harissa, tomatoes, and water and mix. Bring to a boil. Taste and adjust salt at this point, then add raisins and basil. Cover with a lid and cook over low heat for 45 minutes to an hour, until the sauce comes together uniformly.

For the tuna meatballs: In a bowl, mix together all the ingredients for the meatballs. Form into approximately 25 small balls, and pan fry in sunflower oil until golden. (We just want to make sure they get the color, but we will continue cooking them in the sauce, so don’t worry about having them perfectly cooked at this stage. If you feel like ditching this frying stage, do it—I know I do sometimes, and the dish comes out just as tasty.)

Transfer meatballs to the sauce and continue cooking together for 15–30 minutes. Garnish with a handful of torn basil and pine nuts. Serve with rice, pasta, or just fresh bread.

Note: If you have a good relationship with your fishmonger, ask him to save you the tuna belly, as it makes the meatballs juicier, but any other cut would do as well. You can also replace the tuna with ground beef, chicken, or turkey.

Recipe courtesy of New York Shuk

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Police Fire Live Rounds at 2 Protesters As Hong Kong Engulfed in Citywide Strike

Violence escalated in Hong Kong on Nov. 11 after local police fired live rounds at protesters who were engaged in citywide strike action. The shooting took place in the neighborhood of Sai Wan Ho when protesters tried to block roads. One police officer pointed his gun at point-blank range at a protester wearing a white hoodie before grabbing him by the neck. A second protester dressed in black approached the officer and then tried to swat the gun from his hand. He was shot by the police officer at close range and collapsed to the ground. Two more protesters approached the officer from behind, and the officer fired two more shots at close range. One of the protesters also fell to the ground. The shooting, which took place before 8…