Sizzling Meatballs in Fiery Tomatillo Sauce
This vibrant dish features tender meatballs enveloped in a bold, spicy tomatillo sauce, inspired by traditional Centeral Mexican flavors. Made from scratch using fresh ingredients, each bite offers a harmony of heat from chipotle chiles and the tanginess of tomatillos, making it a perfect accompaniment to rice or warm tortillas. Ideal for gatherings or a cozy family dinner, this dish is sure to impress with its robust taste and heartwarming aroma.
8
Servings
N/A
Calories
14
Ingredients
Ingredients
Whole tomatillos
26 ounces (drained)
Onion
1 cup (finely chopped)
Garlic cloves
3 (minced)
Canned chipotle chiles in adobo
2
Beef bouillon
1 teaspoon (dissolved in 1 cup hot water or beef broth)
Lean ground beef
3/4 lb
Ground turkey or pork
3/4 lb
Dry breadcrumbs
1 cup (soaked in 4 tablespoons milk)
Eggs
2 (slightly beaten)
White onion
1/2 cup (chopped)
Fresh mint
1 tablespoon (chopped or 1 teaspoon dried mint)
Fresh cilantro
1/4 cup (chopped)
Oregano
1 teaspoon
Chopped cilantro
2 tablespoons (for garnish)
Instructions
1
Start by preparing the tomatillo sauce. In a blender or food processor, puree the tomatillos, chopped onion, minced garlic, and chipotle chiles until smooth. Transfer the mixture to a large saucepan.
2
Stir in the dissolved beef bouillon and bring the sauce to a boil over medium-high heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat and let it simmer for 10 minutes to develop the flavors. Season with adobo seasoning to taste.
3
While the sauce simmers, prepare the meatballs. In a large mixing bowl, combine the lean ground beef, ground turkey (or pork), soaked breadcrumbs, beaten eggs, chopped onion, mint, cilantro, and oregano. Season the mixture with adobo seasoning. Mix thoroughly until well combined.
4
Shape the meat mixture into meatballs, approximately the size of walnuts, using about one heaping tablespoon per meatball.
5
Gently add the formed meatballs into the simmering tomatillo sauce. Ensure the sauce covers the meatballs; if it doesn't, add a little water to adjust consistency.
6
Cover the saucepan and let the meatballs simmer in the sauce for about 25 minutes, stirring occasionally to ensure even cooking. Once cooked through, taste and adjust seasoning if necessary.
7
Serve the meatballs hot, garnished with additional chopped cilantro, and pair with rice or warm tortillas for a complete meal.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the flavor profile of the Sizzling Meatballs in Fiery Tomatillo Sauce?
The dish features a harmony of heat from chipotle chiles and tanginess from fresh tomatillos, inspired by traditional Central Mexican flavors.
How many servings does this recipe yield?
This recipe is designed to serve 8 people.
What types of meat are used in the meatballs?
The recipe uses a combination of 3/4 lb lean ground beef and 3/4 lb ground turkey or pork.
Are the meatballs fried before being added to the sauce?
No, the meatballs are gently added directly into the simmering tomatillo sauce and cooked through while simmering.
What is the primary ingredient for the sauce?
The base of the sauce consists of 26 ounces of whole tomatillos, drained.
How do I prepare the tomatillo sauce?
Puree the tomatillos, chopped onion, minced garlic, and chipotle chiles in a blender or food processor until smooth before simmering.
What gives the sauce its spicy heat?
The spice comes from the addition of two canned chipotle chiles in adobo sauce.
How long should the sauce simmer before adding the meat?
The sauce should simmer for about 10 minutes to develop flavors before the meatballs are added.
What size should the meatballs be shaped into?
The meat mixture should be shaped into meatballs approximately the size of walnuts.
How long do the meatballs need to cook in the sauce?
The meatballs should simmer in the sauce for approximately 25 minutes until cooked through.
What binding agents are used for the meatballs?
The recipe uses two slightly beaten eggs and one cup of dry breadcrumbs soaked in milk as binding agents.
Can I use dried mint instead of fresh mint?
Yes, you can substitute 1 tablespoon of fresh chopped mint with 1 teaspoon of dried mint.
What herbs are included in the meat mixture?
The meatballs contain fresh mint, fresh cilantro, and oregano.
What should I do if the sauce does not cover the meatballs?
If the sauce is too low, you can add a little water to adjust the consistency and ensure the meatballs are covered.
What are the recommended side dishes?
This dish is best served with rice or warm tortillas.
How much garlic is required for this recipe?
The recipe calls for 3 minced garlic cloves.
Is beef bouillon necessary?
Yes, one teaspoon of beef bouillon dissolved in hot water or beef broth is used to enrich the sauce.
What kind of onion is used in the meatballs?
The recipe specifies 1/2 cup of chopped white onion for the meat mixture.
How is the dish garnished?
The dish is garnished with 2 tablespoons of freshly chopped cilantro.
What seasoning is used for the overall dish?
Adobo seasoning is used to season both the sauce and the meatball mixture to taste.
Can I use ground pork instead of turkey?
Yes, the recipe suggests either ground turkey or ground pork as a partner to the lean ground beef.
What is the first step in the instructions?
The first step is preparing the tomatillo sauce by pureeing the vegetables and chiles.
Do I need to stir the meatballs while they cook?
Yes, you should stir occasionally while they simmer to ensure even cooking.
What is the texture of the sauce?
The sauce is pureed until smooth, resulting in a vibrant and bold texture.
Is this recipe considered spicy?
Yes, it is tagged as 'spicy' and describes the tomatillo sauce as 'fiery'.
How much breadcrumb is needed?
The recipe requires 1 cup of dry breadcrumbs.
What preparation is needed for the breadcrumbs?
The breadcrumbs should be soaked in 4 tablespoons of milk before being added to the meat.
Is this a traditional Mexican recipe?
It is inspired by traditional Central Mexican flavors.
What type of saucepan should be used?
A large saucepan is recommended to accommodate both the sauce and the meatballs.
How do I know when the meatballs are done?
They are done after about 25 minutes of simmering when they are cooked through.