Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups finely chopped purple onion
- 4 1/2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 3/4 pound ground chuck
- 3/4 pound ground pork
- 1 3/4 teaspoons salt
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, plus a pinch
- 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
- 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 cup plain dry bread crumbs
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 egg, lightly beaten
- 4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 3 1/2 cups beef stock or 2 (14-ounce) cans low-sodium beef broth
- 1/4 cup red currant jelly
Directions
In a medium skillet over medium-high heat, saute 1 cup of the onions in 1 1/2 tablespoons of the butter until soft and light golden brown, about 4 to 6 minutes. Set aside to cool. Add the onions to a medium mixing bowl along with the ground chuck, ground pork, 1 1/2 teaspoons of the salt, 1/2 teaspoon of the pepper, the allspice and nutmeg.
In a small bowl combine the breadcrumbs with the milk and 1/4 cup of the cream and allow to sit until bread crumbs are soft, about 5 minutes. Add the bread crumb mixture and the egg to the meat mixture, and, using your hands, mix well to thoroughly combine. Using a tablespoon measure as a guide, scoop the meat mixture into small portions, each about 1 heaping tablespoon. Using lightly damp hands, roll the meatballs until they are smooth and round. Transfer to a large plate or baking dish while you form the remaining meatballs.
In a medium skillet heat 1/2 tablespoon of the remaining butter until foamy. Add one third of the meatballs and cook, turning frequently, until the meatballs are browned on all sides, 6 to 8 minutes. Using tongs or a slotted spoon, transfer the meatballs to a Dutch oven or other heavy large saucepan and repeat with the remaining meatballs, adding an additional 1/2 tablespoon of butter to the skillet before each addition.
Add the remaining 1 1/2 tablespoons of butter and the remaining 1/2 cup of chopped purple onions to the skillet and cook until the onions are soft, about 4 minutes. Add the flour and cook, stirring constantly, for 2 minutes. Whisk in the beef broth little by little and cook until the sauce is smooth and thick, about 4 minutes. Transfer the sauce to the Dutch oven and add the remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt, a pinch of black pepper, 3/4 cup heavy cream and the currant jelly. Be careful when stirring, to not break up the meatballs. Bring the contents of the Dutch oven to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce the heat so that the sauce simmers. Cook, uncovered, for 45 minutes to 1 hour, or until the meatballs are very tender and the sauce is thick and flavorful.
















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By marysoda
on October 27, 2011
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It was extremely tasty..very time consuming,but well worth it..I will definetly make it again.
By stacyspumberg_1...
Baltimore, 60
on December 27, 2009
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My meatballs fell apart just a little bit. My egg was on the smaller side so I'll probably add a bit more next time. The meatballs tasted salty to me when I added them into the dutch oven prior to adding the sauce. As a result, I skipped adding the additional salt to the sauce and just seasoned with the black pepper. I also didn't cook the meatballls in the sauce for 45 minutes. They were already perfect and soft after about 20 minutes. I added some cooked wide egg noodles and then let it all stand together off the stove for about 10 more minutes . Yum yum! PERFECT!
By lesliecogan_8226158
new york, NY
on June 22, 2009
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My mom and I made this together and even with a mistake in following the directions it turned out so delicious! (We added all the cream in the meat mixture instead of just 1/4 cup. While it was a simple enough recipe, I think I'll only be able to make it when I have someone else around to help me with my 19 month old. It was easy to make but a little time consuming. It would be easy to make the meat mixture in the morning, refrigerate it, and finish the preparations in the evening. Oh and we couldn't find red currant jelly so we used raspberry and it was still super scrumptious. A definite keeper for the recipe box!
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