Wednesday, July 29, 2009

MEATBALLS! MEATBALLS! MEATBALLS! & MORE MEATBALLS!!!


German Meatballs

For variety, these meatballs can be cooked with a sweet cream gravy, steamed with tomatoes or with sauerkraut.This is enough for 6 servings...

Ingredients:
1 pound ground beef
1/2 pound ground pork
1/2 cup finely chopped onion
3/4 cup fine dry bread crumbs
1 tablespoon snipped fresh parsley
1-1/2 teaspoons salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1 egg, beaten
1/2 cup milk
2 to 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 can (27 ounces) sauerkraut, undrained
1/3 to 1/2 cup water, optional
Additional snipped parsley

Directions:
In a bowl, combine first 10 ingredients; shape into 18 meatballs, 2 in. each. Heat the oil in a skillet; brown the meatballs. Remove meatballs and drain fat. Spoon sauerkraut into skillet; top with meatballs. Cover and simmer for 15-20 minutes or until meatballs are done. Add water if necessary. Sprinkle with parsley!


Swedish Meatballs

I have made this dish several times for my family. They love it! These meatballs are amazing. They have wonderful texture and flavor...
This is enough for 4-6 servings!

Ingredients:
2 slices fresh white bread
1/4 cup milk
3 tablespoons clarified butter, divided
1/2 cup finely chopped onion
A pinch plus 1 teaspoon kosher salt
3/4 pound ground chuck
3/4 pound ground pork
2 large egg yolks
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
3 cups beef broth
1/4 cup heavy cream

Directions:
Preheat oven to 200 degrees F.

Tear the bread into pieces and place in a small mixing bowl along with the milk. Set aside.

In a 12-inch straight sided saute pan over medium heat, melt 1 tablespoon of the butter. Add the onion and a pinch of salt and sweat until the onions are soft. Remove from the heat and set aside.

In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the bread and milk mixture, ground chuck, pork, egg yolks, 1 teaspoon of kosher salt, black pepper, allspice, nutmeg, and onions. Beat on medium speed for 1 to 2 minutes.

Using a scale, weigh meatballs into 1-ounce portions and place on a sheet pan. Using your hands, shape the meatballs into rounds.

Heat the remaining butter in the saute pan over medium-low heat, or in an electric skillet set to 250 degrees F. Add the meatballs and saute until golden brown on all sides, about 7 to 10 minutes. Remove the meatballs to an ovenproof dish using a slotted spoon and place in the warmed oven.

Once all of the meatballs are cooked, decrease the heat to low and add the flour to the pan or skillet. Whisk until lightly browned, approximately 1 to 2 minutes. Gradually add the beef stock and whisk until sauce begins to thicken. Add the cream and continue to cook until the gravy reaches the desired consistency. Remove the meatballs from the oven, cover with the gravy and serve!

Mexican Meatballs

Depending on the crowd you are going to feed, you can make these mild or spicy. Easy to make and they freeze well for pre-planning...Makes 40 meatballs!

Ingredients:
1 1/2 lbs ground beef
1 1/2 lbs ground pork
2 eggs
1 1/2 cups dried breadcrumbs, plain
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon black pepper, ground
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 cup water
2 (28 ounce) cans diced tomatoes with juice
1-3 chipotle chiles in adobo
4 teaspoons vegetable oil
2 small onions, minced
4 garlic cloves, minced
2 teaspoons ground cumin
2 cups chicken broth
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup fresh cilantro, chopped (optional)

Directions:
In a large bowl, using your hands, mix together the ground beef and pork, eggs, bread crumbs, 1 t. salt, pepper, 2 cloves of minced garlic, and water. Form into 1 inch meatballs and set aside on a piece of waxed paper.

Pour the diced tomatoes into the container of a blender along with the chipotle chilies. Blend until smooth, and set aside.

Heat the oil in a large Dutch oven over medium high heat. Add the onion; cook and stir until tender. Stir in the remaining garlic and cumin, and cook for a few minutes to release the aromas. Pour in the tomato mixture and chicken broth. Season with the remaining teaspoon salt, and mix well. Bring to a boil, then simmer over low heat while you brown the meatballs.

Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Spray with cooking spray. Add meatballs, but do not crowd them. Fry them in 2 batches if necessary. Cook, stirring occasionally until browned on the outside. Remove from the skillet, and place into the pot of simmering sauce. Let the meatballs simmer in the sauce for about 30 minutes. Longer will not hurt them.

For special occasions, serve the meatballs and sauce in a chafing dish. Garnish with chopped cilantro...

Italian Meatballs

If you’ve been searching for the perfect recipe for Italian Meatballs, search no more....With their amazing flavor they are sure to impress anyone...Makes around 25 meatballs!

Ingredients:
1 ½ pounds of lean beef or pork (or use a mixture of both)
¼ cup parmesan cheese
1 large slightly beaten egg
½ cup Italian breadcrumbs
2 tablespoons of minced garlic
2 teaspoons of salt (can use less)
1 teaspoon of black pepper
½ cup of milk
1 teaspoon dried oregano
2 teaspoons of dried parsley

Directions:
Mix all of the ingredients into a large bowl.

Shape the mixture into small-medium sized meatballs. At this point if you don’t want to cook these right now you could put them in the freezer for later.

Pre-heat your oven to 350 degrees, and place the meatballs on a baking sheet.

Put your meatballs in the oven and bake for 25 minutes.

Another cooking method is to simmer the meatballs in pasta sauce for about 40 minutes. This will give them great flavor and texture...

4 comments:

Becca's Dirt said...

All of your meatball recipes sound good. I will have to try the swedish and the german. I am so hungry now after reading your post.

Black Sheep Lisa said...

Yummy, they all look good, now i am hungry!

CathyJean said...

yumm! Christmas Eve just wouldn't be right in my family without Swedish Meatballs! :)
Thanks for sharing these recipes.

Jan said...

OH....so good!! I am so hungry now!! I love your recipes!