Spicy Speculaas Meatballs
These Spicy Speculaas Meatballs are a unique twist on a classic appetizer, infused with the warm flavors of speculaas spice mix commonly found in Dutch cookie recipes. Combining ground beef with crispy bacon, sweet ketjap manis, and a kick of sambal bajak, these meatballs are sure to please any crowd. Serve them on toothpicks alongside your favorite dipping sauces for an impressive snack or appetizer that brings a taste of Dutch and Indonesian cuisine to your table.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
7
Ingredients
Ingredients
Bacon
4 slices (Cut into very thin strips)
Speculaas cookies
3 (Crushed into fine crumbs)
Ground beef
400 g (Unseasoned, ready for mixing)
Speculaas spice mix
1 1/2 teaspoons (Ground or powdered)
Ketjap manis
3 tablespoons (Sweet Indonesian soy sauce)
Sambal bajak
1 tablespoon (Hot Indonesian chili sauce)
Butter
1 tablespoon (For frying meatballs)
Instructions
1
Begin by cutting the bacon into very thin strips, ensuring they can easily blend into the meat mixture.
2
Next, crush the speculaas cookies into fine crumbs using a food processor or a rolling pin and mix them together with the speculaas spice mix.
3
In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, bacon strips, crushed cookies, speculaas spice mix, ketjap manis, and sambal bajak. Use your hands to thoroughly mix all the ingredients until evenly combined.
4
Once the mixture is well combined, shape it into small meatballs, approximately the size of a golf ball. You should yield about 24 meatballs.
5
Heat the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the meatballs to the pan, ensuring they are well spaced apart. Cook for about 10-12 minutes, turning occasionally, until the meatballs are golden brown and cooked through.
6
Once cooked, remove the meatballs from the skillet and serve warm with extra sambal for dipping.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Spicy Speculaas Meatballs?
Spicy Speculaas Meatballs are a unique appetizer that combines ground beef and bacon with the warm flavors of Dutch speculaas spices and Indonesian ingredients like ketjap manis and sambal bajak.
What meat is used in this recipe?
The recipe uses 400 grams of unseasoned ground beef and 4 slices of bacon cut into thin strips.
How many meatballs does this recipe yield?
This recipe yields approximately 24 small meatballs.
What is the recommended size for each meatball?
The meatballs should be shaped to approximately the size of a golf ball.
What cuisines influence this recipe?
The recipe is influenced by a blend of Dutch and Indonesian cuisines.
How do you prepare the bacon for the meatballs?
The bacon should be cut into very thin strips so it can easily blend into the meat mixture.
What role do speculaas cookies play in the recipe?
Speculaas cookies are crushed into fine crumbs and mixed into the meat to provide flavor and texture.
How many speculaas cookies are needed?
You will need 3 speculaas cookies for this recipe.
How much speculaas spice mix should be used?
The recipe requires 1 1/2 teaspoons of speculaas spice mix.
What is Ketjap manis?
Ketjap manis is a sweet Indonesian soy sauce used to add sweetness and depth to the meatballs.
What provides the heat in these meatballs?
The heat comes from one tablespoon of sambal bajak, which is a hot Indonesian chili sauce.
What is the best way to crush the speculaas cookies?
You can use a food processor or a rolling pin to crush the cookies into fine crumbs.
How should the ingredients be mixed?
Combine the beef, bacon, cookie crumbs, spices, ketjap manis, and sambal in a large bowl and use your hands to mix until evenly combined.
How do you cook the meatballs?
Heat butter in a large skillet over medium heat and cook the meatballs for 10-12 minutes, turning occasionally.
How much butter is used for frying?
One tablespoon of butter is used to fry the meatballs.
How long do the meatballs need to cook?
The meatballs should be cooked for approximately 10 to 12 minutes.
How do you know when the meatballs are done?
They are done when they are golden brown on the outside and cooked through on the inside.
How should these meatballs be served?
Serve them warm on toothpicks, ideally with extra sambal for dipping.
Are these meatballs suitable for a party?
Yes, they are tagged as finger food and party snacks, making them perfect for gatherings.
Is the ground beef seasoned beforehand?
No, the recipe specifies using 400g of unseasoned ground beef, as seasonings are added during the mixing process.
What temperature should be used to fry the meatballs?
The meatballs should be cooked over medium heat.
Can I use a food processor for the bacon?
The recipe suggests cutting the bacon into thin strips by hand to ensure they blend well into the meat.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 7 main ingredients: bacon, speculaas cookies, ground beef, speculaas spice mix, ketjap manis, sambal bajak, and butter.
What is the flavor profile of this dish?
It is a blend of spicy, sweet, and warm savory flavors.
What can I use if I don't have a rolling pin to crush cookies?
A food processor is an excellent alternative for creating fine cookie crumbs.
Should the meatballs be crowded in the pan?
No, you should ensure the meatballs are well spaced apart in the skillet for even cooking.
Is there any salt or pepper added separately?
Salt and pepper are not explicitly listed; the saltiness and seasoning come from the bacon, ketjap manis, and sambal bajak.
What type of sambal is used?
The recipe specifically calls for sambal bajak, which is a fried chili paste.
Can these meatballs be prepared in advance?
While they are best served warm immediately after cooking, you can prep the mixture and shape the balls ahead of time.
What is the primary category for this recipe?
It is categorized as an appetizer and finger food.