Saturday, March 31, 2012

[Dutch] Bitterballen - Deep Fried Beef Balls




Ingredients:
For the meat balls:
  • 1 stick (1/2 cup) unsalted butter
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup beef stock
  • 1/2 medium onion, minced
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • Cooking oil for frying (make sure you have enough oil to completely submerge the beef balls while frying)
For the breading:
  • 1/2 cup all purpose flour
  • 2 large eggs, add 2 tablespoons of milk or water, beaten
  • 1 1/2 cups breadcrumbs (I used panko for extra crunch)

Directions:

  • In a large skillet, cook the ground beef until done and no longer pink. Drain the liquid and set aside to cool completely. In a different skillet, melt the butter over medium heat, add the flour gradually and stir into thick paste. Slowly add the beef stock, make sure that the roux absorbs the liquid completely. Add onion, garlic, beef, parsley, nutmeg, salt and pepper, mix well and continue cooking for a few more minutes. Remove from heat and transfer to a glass bowl to cool down. Store covered in the refrigerator for a couple of hours until the mixture firms up.
  • Heat the cooking oil in a frying pan. Place beaten eggs, flour and breadcrumbs into 3 separate bowls. Take a heaping tablespoon of cold beef mixture and roll it into a ball. Roll lightly into the flour, then egg and lastly the breadcrumbs. Place the beef ball onto a plate. Repeat with the remaining beef mixture. 
  • When the oil is hot enough, fry the beef balls, 6 at a time, until they turn golden brown. Serve warm with some mustard. 




15 comments:

  1. Yum! I am in love. These are soo cute and look so tasty. Your photos are gorgeous.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Yum. These would be so terrific party appetizers!

    ReplyDelete
  3. These are good, but they aren't bitterballen by any stretch of the imagination. Bitterballen have a very creamy interior; these are more fried beef balls. Bitterballen are croquette (kroket) in ball form.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Agreed. I should have said that it's more the Indonesian version than Dutch.

      Delete
  4. I always think beef balls in anyway can complete a meal!

    ReplyDelete
  5. I'm a Dutch girl, so I'm very happy to see bitterballen here. Anonymous is right though; there not exactly the traditional kind, but I bet they're good anyway;)

    ReplyDelete
  6. These look so yummy!!!! I have to make some of these soon, my hubby would love them! By the way, I really enjoy your blog and all your amazing photos! To say thank you, I am pleased to tell you that I have nominated you for the Versatile Blogger Award. Please check out my latest post to receive your award! Have a great day! Carmen

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Carmen, you're so kind. Thanks so much for the award. Will visit very very soon and compile my list asap. It's an honor coming form you, love your blog always :)

      Delete
  7. My dad gets out of place everytime we have pork dishes, this time I am making this, and he will be surprised the beef balls are meant for him. Thanks for the recipe.

    ReplyDelete
  8. yum, I am in LOVE. Fried beef balls, looks like a perfect party dish.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Those look delicious! Love the idea of breading and deep-frying these little meatballs.

    ReplyDelete