Ingredients:

  Amount  Measure       Ingredient -- Preparation Method
--------  ------------  --------------------------------
                        ***SAUCE***
   1      medium        onion -- chopped
   4                    garlic cloves -- chopped
   1      tablespoon    vegetable oil
   1      cup           tomato sauce
   2      cups          beef broth
     1/4  cup           chipotles en adobo along with the sauce -- stems
                        removed
                        ***MEATBALLS***
   1      pound         ground beef
   1      pound         ground pork
     1/2  cup           finely chopped onion
     1/4  cup           finely chopped fresh cilantro
     1/2  cup           bread crumbs
   1                    egg -- beaten
                        salt and freshly ground black pepper
                        vegetable oil for frying
                        garnish: chopped fresh cilantro

Preparation:

To make the sauce, saute the onion and garlic in the oil until they are lightly browned. Add the tomato sauce, broth, and the chipotles in adobo sauce. Heat the mixture to just under boiling and simmer for 20 minutes. Place the sauce in a blender or food processor and puree until smooth. To make the meatballs, combine the beef, pork, onion, cilantro, bread crumbs, egg, and season with salt and pepper. Gently mix, then form into small meatballs. Pour a couple of tablespoons of the oil in a heavy saucepan and brown the meatballs. Remove and drain. Return the sauce to the pan, add the meatballs and simmer for 15 to 20 minutes to finish cooking the meat. To serve: place in a chafing dish, garnish with the cilantro and serve accompanied with toothpicks.