Boulèt (Haitian Meatballs)

• 20 oz. ground beef
• 1 large onion , finely chopped
• 3 cloves garlic , pressed
• 4 lices white sandwich bread , cut into small pieces
• 1 cup milk
• 1 small green bell pepper , grated
• 1 tablespoon finely chopped parsley
• 1 tablespoon crushed thyme leaves
• 1 teaspoon white vinegar (or rice vinegar)
• 2 teaspoons salt
• ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1 egg , beaten
• 1 cup flour
• vegetable oil (for frying)
• ¼ teaspoon chili powder

For the sauce

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 onion cut into strips
• 2 cloves garlic pressed
• 1 cup water
• 1 bouquet garni (parsley, thyme and bay leaf)
• ¼ teaspoon hot chili powder (optional)
• salt
• pepper