Month: July 2022

Last weekend, Susan and I watched a few episodes of The Great American Recipe on PBS.

One of the contestants, Silvia Martinez, made Abuelas Albondigas, also known as Mexican Meatballs. It looked so delicious. I turned to Susan and said, “I have to make this for our Sunday dinner.” And I did. And it was delicious!

Reading from Silvia’s statement on PBS:

“Spanish for meatballs and served in a broth, dry, or (as in this case) with a sauce, albondigas hold a special place in the hearts of many Mexicans. My grandma used to ask each of her grandchildren what their favorite dish was so she could make it for their birthdays. This is one I asked for often. Chipotle chiles are dried jalapeños. The most common way to buy them at the supermarket is canned in an adobo sauce, which gives them that classic smoky flavor. I added golden raisins at my husband’s suggestion, and their sweetness balances beautifully with the acid, spice, and salt in the sauce.”

This recipe is featured in the Love Language episode during Season 1 of The Great American Recipe.

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground beef (85% lean) (I used Bison because it is what I had to fridge.)
• 1½ teaspoons salt, divided
• ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
• ¼ teaspoon dried thyme
• ¼ teaspoon dried marjoram
• 2 medium eggs
• ¼ cup bread crumbs
• ¾ white onion, finely chopped
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• ½ cup golden raisins (I did use raisins.)
• 5 flat-leaf parsley sprigs, leaves picked and chopped, divided
• 1 pound Roma tomatoes
• 2 canned chipotle chiles in adobo sauce
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 8(5-to 8-inch) corn tortillas, warmed
•  
• Rice
• 1½ cups white rice
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• ¼ white onion, chopped
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 3 cups water
• 1 tablespoon chicken bouillon powder
• ½ cup frozen peas
• 1/2 cup frozen corn (My addition.)
• 1 large carrot, peeled and chopped
• Salt to taste

Directions

1. In a medium bowl, mix together the ground beef, 1 teaspoon of the salt, pepper, thyme, marjoram, eggs, bread crumbs, half of the chopped onion, garlic, golden raisins, and half of the chopped parsley. With your hands, form 12 meatballs. Set aside.
2. In a blender, blend the tomatoes, remaining chopped onion, chipotles, broth, and remaining ½ teaspoon salt until smooth. (I used frozen tomato sauce that I made last summer which had carrots, celery, garlic and japaleno in it.)
3. Heat the oil in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat, pour in the sauce, and cook for 1 minute. Carefully submerge the meatballs in the sauce. Bring to a boil, then cover the pan, lower the temperature, and simmer for 25 minutes.
4. Meanwhile, rinse the rice until the water runs clear, then strain. Heat the oil in a small saucepan over high heat, then add the onion and garlic. Sauté until softened, about 5 minutes, then add the rice and sauté for 5 more minutes. Add the water and chicken bouillon and stir until dissolved. Add the frozen peas, carrot, and salt if needed. Cover the pan and bring to a boil. Turn the temperature down and simmer until the liquid evaporates and the rice is tender, 17–20 minutes.
5. Serve the albondigas with the rice and warm tortillas on the side. Garnish with the remaining chopped parsley.

This night, Saturday night, I made a pizza! I made the meatballs on Sunday

The pizza, too, was delicious! Whole Wheat Crust, BBQ Sauce, Grated Pepper Olive Cheese, Andouille Sausage from D’Artagnan, Mushrooms, Cherry Tomatoes (from our garden), Spinach, Corn Salsa. YUM!