Beer Braised Beef Meatballs with Horseradish Sauce
- Level: Easy
- Yield: s: 4 servings
- Total: 45 min
- Prep: 20 min
- Cook: 25 min
Ingredients
1 loaf pumpernickel or sourdough bread
1 cup milk
2 pounds ground beef
1/3 cup Worcestershire sauce
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
1/2 cup fresh parsley leaves, finely chopped
4 round tablespoons prepared horseradish
6 cloves garlic, grated or made into a paste
1 egg
2 tablespoons EVOO
1 bottle amber ale (tangy and sweeter) or Guinness (bitter)
1 bottle amber ale (tangy and sweeter) or Guinness (bitter)
One 10-ounce can beef consomme
1 1/2 cups sour cream
1/4 cup minced fresh chives
1/4 cup heavy cream
1 bunch watercress, stemmed
Directions
- Cut two 1-inch-thick slices of bread and soak them in the milk to soften.
- Combine the beef, Worcestershire sauce and some salt and pepper in a large bowl. Squeeze the excess liquid from the bread, then crumble it into small pieces between your fingers as you add it to the beef. Add the parsley, 2 tablespoons horseradish, the garlic and egg. Mix until just combined, then form into 2 1/2-inch balls.
- Heat a cast-iron skillet or large, wide heavy-bottomed pan over medium-high heat. Add the EVOO to the hot skillet, then cook the meatballs until browned, 7 to 8 minutes. Add the beer and cook for 1 minute to reduce it slightly. Add the consomme, cover the skillet with foil and cook for 12 to 15 minutes, shaking the skillet occasionally.
- Meanwhile, toast the remaining loaf bread in the oven.
- Combine the sour cream, chives, heavy cream and the remaining 2 tablespoons horseradish in a bowl. Season with salt and pepper.
- Divide the meatballs among plates and garnish with the watercress. Serve with the sour cream dipping sauce and hunks of toasted bread.
Cook’s Note
The meatballs can be refrigerated for a make-ahead meal. Reheat over medium heat, covered with foil. The sour cream dipping sauce can be made ahead and refrigerated, covered.