Prep Time: 20 minutes | Cook Time: 34 minutes | Total Time: 54 minutes | Servings: 4 | Cuisine: Spanish
Nutrition Facts (per serving):
Calories 485 kcal | Fat 30 g | Carbs 24 g | Protein 28 g
Hearty Comfort Food to Share
Looking for a delicious and heartwarming dish perfect for family gatherings or cozy dinners with friends? These exquisite beef meatballs are a traditional Spanish culinary delight that will impress everyone at your table. The combination of tender meatballs and a unique almond and ham sauce takes this dish to a whole new level, making it truly irresistible.
These flavorful meatballs are not just a meal; they are a celebration of tastes and textures that reflect the warmth of home cooking. With every bite, you’ll experience the rich flavors of Spain that can turn any ordinary dinner into a culinary adventure!
Ready to dive into this mouthwatering recipe? Let’s get started!
Ingredients
For the Meatballs:
- 1 lb (16 oz) ground beef
- 1 large egg
- 1.75 oz (50 g) breadcrumbs
- 1/2 cup milk (about 4 oz)
For the Almond and Ham Sauce:
- 1 small onion
- 1.5 oz (40 g) Serrano ham, chopped
- 0.7 oz (20 g) almonds
- 1 slice fried bread
- 5 oz (150 g) Cava or white wine
- 1 cup (250 g) broth (or water with a pinch of broth concentrate)
- Flour (for coating)
- Olive oil (for frying)
- 2 tbsp (30 g) extra virgin olive oil (for the sauce)
- Salt (to taste, be cautious as the ham is salty)
- Pepper (to taste)
- A few strands of saffron
Instructions
- Soak the Breadcrumbs:
- In a bowl, combine the breadcrumbs and milk. Let them soak well and then drain slightly. Set aside.
- Prepare the Meatball Mixture:
- In another bowl, add the ground beef. Crack in the egg, season with salt and pepper, and mix in the soaked breadcrumbs. Blend everything together until you have a uniform mixture.
- Shape and Fry the Meatballs:
- Form the mixture into meatballs using your hands. Roll them in flour and fry in a skillet with hot olive oil until golden brown. Remove and set aside.
- Make the Sauce Base:
- In the Thermomix bowl, add the fried bread, almonds, and saffron strands. Blend everything for 20 seconds on speed 7. Remove and set aside.
- Sauté the Onion and Ham:
- Without cleaning the bowl, add the onion and chop for 5 seconds on speed 5. Add the ham and 30 g of olive oil used for frying the meatballs. Sauté for 6 minutes at 120°C (250°F) on spoon speed.
- Add Wine and Reduce:
- Pour in the Cava or white wine. Cook for 3 minutes at Varoma temperature on spoon speed without the measuring cup to allow the alcohol to evaporate.
- Combine the Sauce Ingredients:
- Add the broth and the almond mixture to the bowl. Cook for 5 minutes at 100°C (212°F) on speed 3.5.
- Simmer the Meatballs:
- Finally, transfer the sauce to a large pot along with the meatballs. Cover and simmer on low heat for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally to thicken the sauce.
Tips
- Serve these meatballs with crusty bread or over rice for a complete meal.
- If you want to elevate the flavor, add a splash of sherry or a teaspoon of smoked paprika to the sauce!
- These meatballs can also be prepared ahead of time and reheated, making them a perfect choice for busy weeknights.
Enjoy this delightful Spanish dish that’s sure to warm your heart and satisfy your taste buds!
