The ORANGE MEATBALLS are a main course that brings to the table all the goodness and aromas of simple but flavorful home cooking, which knows how to transform genuine, humble ingredients into true delicacies without expense and with great satisfaction for all at the table. It is, in fact, a dish within everyone’s reach, yet far from trivial.
These meatballs, whose preparation requires very little time and effort, are made truly special by the delicious sauce that accompanies them, which gives them an extraordinary lift thanks to the intensity of the citrus flavors from the orange and the lemon-scented thyme. This dressing, which pairs wonderfully with the meatballs, gives them a sweet-and-sour taste and an intense, exquisite aroma typical of good Mediterranean cooking.
- Difficulty: Very easy
- Cost: Inexpensive
- Preparation time: 5 Minutes
- Portions: 10 meatballs
- Cooking methods: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
- Seasonality: Winter
Ingredients
- 14 oz beef (ground)
- 1 egg (medium)
- 2 tbsp breadcrumbs
- 1 bunch parsley
- to taste salt
- to taste black pepper
- Half yellow onion
- 4 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 2 oranges (juice and untreated zest)
- 1 tsp cornstarch (Maizena)
- 1/4 cup water
- to taste salt
- lemon thyme
Steps
To prepare the ORANGE MEATBALLS, place the ground beef in a bowl with the egg, breadcrumbs, salt, pepper, a bunch of chopped parsley and mix all the ingredients well.
Mix until you obtain a homogeneous, soft mixture. Take small handfuls of meat and roll them with your hands to form medium-sized balls.
In a large skillet, add the oil and the thinly sliced onion. Sauté over low heat and add the meatballs. Increase the heat and brown them on all sides.
Add 1 cup of water, lower the heat, cover with a lid and let cook for 20 minutes.
Add the orange juice and let it reduce slightly. At this point add the cornstarch dissolved in the cold water, adjust the salt and cook for another 5 minutes over low heat.
When you have obtained a smooth, creamy sauce, add julienned orange zest, strip the lemon thyme leaves and let them infuse their flavor.
Turn off the heat, plate the orange meatballs and enjoy them hot and creamy, perhaps accompanied by a fresh salad or some grilled vegetables.
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