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sauerbraten meatballs

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Sauerbraten meatballs

For a pretty easy fun holiday dish for an open house this recipe works really well. You can make these well ahead of time and heat in a crock pot for a party. The best way to serve these for a large party is in a shallow chafing dish over a warming plate with lots of toothpicks.

Ingredients

  • 1 pound ground turkey
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 cup finely chopped onion
  • 3 ounces ale, pumpkin or amber
  • 6 ounces crushed ginger snaps
  • zest from one lemon, divided in half
  • zest from one orange, divided in half
  • 1 ounce fresh grated and peeled ginger, divided in half
  • 1 tablespoon applesauce, preferably homemade with cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon fresh milled black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground fennel seed, optional
  • 1 cup turkey broth, preferably homemade
  • 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
  • 6 ounces pumpkin or amber ale
  • 4 ounces applesauce, preferably homemade with cinnamon
  • 4 ounces crushed ginger snaps
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch or flour
  • a 1x2 inch piece of pancetta, chopped, optional
  • 1/2 tablespoon molasses
  • 1 tablespoon real maple syrup
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar, to taste
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt, to taste
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • pinch of nutmeg and cinnamon
  • 1 shot calvados
  • sprigs of fresh rosemary, optional

Directions

  • In a large bowl combine the two ground meats. Work in the onions.
  • Pour 3 oz. of the ale over 6 oz. of the ginger snaps to soften. Then combine with the meat. Add the zest of one half lemon and orange, half the fresh ginger, 1 tbl. applesauce, salt and pepper and optional fennel. Mix thoroughly with clean hands. Roll in your hands to form 48 meatballs, a little under an inch in diameter.
  • Arrange the meatballs on a rack in a roasting pan. Bake in a preheated 400 degree oven for 20-25 minutes until browned.
  • In a saucepan pour in the turkey broth, cider vinegar, and 6 oz. of ale. Add optional pancetta, 4 oz. applesauce mixed with the cornstarch or flour, 4 oz. of crushed ginger snaps, molasses, maple syrup, brown sugar, the other half of the orange and lemon zest and grated ginger, spice, salt and pepper, and a sprig of optional rosemary. Heat the sauce. Add a shot of calvados. Keep warm.
  • After the meatballs are done in the oven, add them to the sauce and cook for at least another 10 minutes. Taste and adjust for seasoning. Although these can be served at this point, you can also let them cool and reheat the next day. These can be served with rosemary sprigs as garnish and toothpicks for a holiday party. For a dinner these are best served over egg noodles or with spaetzle.

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