Meatballs (and sauces)

MonkeyGirl

I'm going to attempt to make some meatballs in a bit. Do I have to pre cook the mince? Our mince for some reason is very fatty and we have to drain it off as we cook it. Will this cause me problems as I was gonig to do it in the slow cooker. Also what can I serve meatballs with? Its been ages since I've had them so I can't remember.

Thank you for your help.

MonkeyGirl

MATH

I've just made a load of meatballs - how spooky:eek: I don't pre-cook my mince but bake them in the oven on a rack so all the fat can drain away at 220 for about 20 mins before putting them in the SC. If you whack them straight in all the fat is going to be in the sauce. As meatballs are a bit like round burgers always make sure they are really well cooked. HTH

comping_cat

Normally meatballs are cooked from raw, but i suppose it would depend on your ingredients, if you have something to help bind the cooked meat together (such as egg) it might work fine, might be a case of try it and see!!!! I would serve them in a tomato sauce.
Catherine x

pol

I usually make them uncooked, mixed with onion/spices/herbs, dropped into boiling water so they keep their shape. You could serve them with mash or chips with gravy, or make a tomatoey sauce and have them with spaghetti/pasta. You could also mix in some chinese spices and have them with stir fried veg.

pol

Essex-girl_2

Thanks for starting this thread.
My kids love meatballs and I normally make them in a tomato sauce but they want them in gravy like school.

I normally fry them first to seal then cook them in tomato sauce on hob but could I put them in slow cooker with normal gravy? If so how long?

researcher

You can cook meatballs in any liquid or sauce - but always use raw meat into which you can mix almost anything for flavour - from curry paste and a few minced raisins to just plain salt and pepper. Although an egg helps bind the meat you don't have to add one, but you do need to use salt - also do make sure you add the meatballs into a simmering sauce or liquid or they tend to break up. If sauce, remember it will thicken during the cooking, so make sure it is liquid enough or it will burn. When you've added the meat place a lid on top and turn only once or twice during cooking. Keep heat very low if cooking on top of the stove or bake in oven at about 175c or you could use a slow cooker.

I usually mince my onion, (you get a much finer texture), some will even cook and cool the onion before adding it to the raw mince as the flavour is sweeter and more developed - but if you're serving them in a strongly flavoured sauce I think it's unnecessary.

You can make so many dishes with meatballs, using any type of minced meat.

Mr_Proctalgia

You can get some wonderful recipes for meatballs by googling "Klopse" I used to live on them when I lived in Germany/Holland

You can get some tasty recipes for meatloaf if you google for "Klops" too (Just made a loaf tin full for tea too :drool: )

arkonite_babe

There's also a good recipe for meatballs in the recipe thread, I've made them in the past and can honestly say that they are yummy!! Also good for burgers this mix too

[post=463757]Dee's Oniony Meatballs[/post]

HTH

moneysavingplumber

I always grill mine separately and serve them with pasta and a spicy tomato sauce.

I usually make them by grinding minced pork and beef together with the back of a fork. I do add an onion and spice mixture but I fry and puree this off first before mixing it in with the meat otherwise I find the raw onion and powdery spice flavour overpowers the meatballs. I don't tend to add any binding agent but I do dust them with flour to stop them sticking.

ladygrey_2

just delving into the back of my freezer and I've found 2 bags of swedish meatballs from Ikea, I'd usually serve them with their sauce but I haven't got any so any other ideas for how to serve them?

Heth_2

Pasta and meatballs? You could make a tomato sauce to go with them, and stir into some cooked pasta, parmesan and maybe some cream and chopped parsely?
Or my mother made a yummy pasta bake with pasta, meat balls and a chesse sauce.