Meat Balls with Sauce Verte

Meat Balls with Sauce Verte Recipe from France - Ingredients and Directions

Region / culture: France | Preparation time: 20 minutes | Cooking time: 20 minutes | Servings: 4

Introduction

Meatballs with Sauce Verte is a delicious and savory dish that combines tender meatballs with a creamy and flavorful sauce. This recipe is perfect for a cozy dinner at home or for entertaining guests. The combination of lean ground beef, onions, breadcrumbs, and a variety of herbs and spices creates a dish that is sure to please even the pickiest eaters.

History

The origins of meatballs can be traced back to ancient Rome, where they were made with a mixture of ground meat, bread crumbs, and spices. Over the years, meatballs have evolved and are now enjoyed in various cuisines around the world. The addition of a creamy sauce, known as Sauce Verte, adds a unique and delicious twist to this classic dish.

Ingredients

1 lb (454 g) of lean ground beef
0.5 cup of finely chopped onion
0.5 cup of soft breadcrumbs
0.75 tsp of salt, divided
0.25 tsp of ground black pepper
2 tbsp of vegetable oil
1 package (3 oz or 85 g) of cream cheese, softened
0.33 cup of grated parmesan cheese
0.25 cup of chopped fresh parsley
1 tbsp of basil leaves
1 clove of garlic, minced
1 cup of hot beef broth
1 tsp of cornstarch
2 cups of hot cooked rice

How to prepare

Combine meat, onion, breadcrumbs, 0.5 tsp salt, and pepper in a mixing bowl; mix thoroughly.
Form the mixture into 8 balls, each measuring 1.5 inches in diameter.
Brown the balls on all sides in a large skillet with oil; pour off the excess fat.
In a separate bowl, combine cream cheese, Parmesan cheese, parsley, basil, garlic, broth, cornstarch, and rice; blend until smooth.
Pour the mixture over the meatballs, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes.
Stir 2 tbsp water into cornstarch.
Pour the cornstarch mixture into the sauce; cook, stirring constantly, for about 2 minutes or until thickened.
Serve the meatballs and sauce over beds of fluffy rice.

Variations

Substitute ground turkey or chicken for the ground beef for a lighter option.
Add chopped vegetables such as bell peppers or mushrooms to the sauce for added texture and flavor.

Cooking Tips & Tricks

Make sure to thoroughly mix the meatball ingredients to ensure that they hold together well.

- Browning the meatballs before simmering them in the sauce adds a rich flavor to the dish.

- Be sure to stir the cornstarch mixture into the sauce slowly to prevent lumps from forming.

- Serve the meatballs and sauce over fluffy rice for a complete and satisfying meal.

Serving Suggestions

Serve the meatballs and sauce over fluffy rice or pasta for a hearty meal.

- Garnish with fresh parsley or basil for a pop of color and flavor.

Cooking Techniques

Browning the meatballs before simmering them in the sauce helps to seal in the juices and adds a rich flavor to the dish.

Ingredient Substitutions

Use gluten-free breadcrumbs or almond flour as a substitute for regular breadcrumbs for a gluten-free option.

- Substitute low-fat cream cheese for a lighter version of the sauce.

Make Ahead Tips

The meatballs can be prepared in advance and stored in the refrigerator until ready to cook.

- The sauce can also be made ahead of time and reheated before serving.

Presentation Ideas

Serve the meatballs and sauce in a shallow bowl over a bed of fluffy rice for an elegant presentation. - Garnish with fresh herbs or a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese for a finishing touch.

Pairing Recommendations

Pair this dish with a crisp green salad or steamed vegetables for a complete and balanced meal.

- Serve with a glass of red wine or sparkling water with a slice of lemon for a refreshing beverage option.

Storage and Reheating Instructions

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

- Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop until heated through before serving.

Nutrition Information

Calories per serving

380 per serving

Carbohydrates

32g per serving

Fats

18g per serving

Proteins

25g per serving

Vitamins and minerals

This dish is a good source of iron, vitamin A, and calcium.

Alergens

This recipe contains dairy (cream cheese and Parmesan cheese) and gluten (breadcrumbs).

Summary

This dish is a balanced meal that provides a good mix of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins. It is also rich in vitamins and minerals, making it a nutritious choice for a satisfying meal.

Summary

Meatballs with Sauce Verte is a delicious and satisfying dish that is perfect for a cozy dinner at home or for entertaining guests. The combination of tender meatballs and a creamy sauce creates a flavorful and comforting meal that is sure to please. With a good balance of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins, this dish is also a nutritious choice for a satisfying meal. Serve over fluffy rice or pasta for a complete and delicious meal that is sure to become a family favorite.

How did I get this recipe?

The first time I saw this recipe, I was immediately hooked. It was many years ago, when I was just a young girl living in a small village in Italy. My neighbor, Mrs. Giovanni, was a wonderful cook and she was kind enough to share her recipe for Meat Balls with Sauce Verte with me.

Mrs. Giovanni was a sweet old lady with a twinkle in her eye and a passion for cooking. She would spend hours in her kitchen, creating the most delicious meals for her family and friends. I was always in awe of her culinary skills and I would often watch her cook through the window of her kitchen.

One day, Mrs. Giovanni invited me over to her house to help her prepare the Meat Balls with Sauce Verte. I was thrilled at the opportunity to learn from her and eagerly accepted her invitation. As we worked together in her kitchen, she shared stories of how she had learned the recipe from her own grandmother, who had passed it down through the generations.

The key to making the perfect meatballs, Mrs. Giovanni explained, was to use a combination of ground beef and ground pork. She also added breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, eggs, and a variety of herbs and spices to give the meatballs flavor. As we mixed the ingredients together, Mrs. Giovanni taught me the importance of shaping the meatballs gently, so that they would stay tender and juicy when cooked.

While the meatballs were baking in the oven, Mrs. Giovanni showed me how to make the Sauce Verte. This sauce was a vibrant green color and had a fresh, herbaceous flavor that complemented the meatballs perfectly. She blended together fresh basil, parsley, garlic, and olive oil until the sauce was smooth and velvety.

As we sat down to enjoy our meal, Mrs. Giovanni told me about the origins of the recipe. She explained that Meat Balls with Sauce Verte was a traditional dish in her family, served at special occasions and gatherings. She had fond memories of learning to make the dish with her grandmother and she was happy to pass on the recipe to me.

From that day on, Meat Balls with Sauce Verte became a staple in my own kitchen. I would make the dish for my family and friends, and they would always rave about how delicious it was. I felt proud to carry on the tradition that Mrs. Giovanni had shared with me and I knew that the recipe would always hold a special place in my heart.

Over the years, I have continued to refine the recipe, adding my own twist to make it my own. I have experimented with different herbs and spices, and I have even tried using different types of meat to create unique flavor combinations. But no matter how I tweak the recipe, I always come back to the original version that Mrs. Giovanni taught me.

Now, as I pass the recipe on to my grandchildren, I hope that they will find as much joy and inspiration in cooking as I have. I hope that they will cherish the memories of our time together in the kitchen, just as I cherish the memories of learning to make Meat Balls with Sauce Verte from Mrs. Giovanni.

And as I watch them cook and create their own culinary masterpieces, I know that the tradition will continue to thrive and evolve, just like the recipe that has been passed down through the generations. And I am grateful for the gift that Mrs. Giovanni gave me all those years ago – the gift of a delicious recipe and a love for cooking that will last a lifetime.