MEATBALLS BRAZILIAN STYLE

My interest for Brazilian cuisine keeps growing every day a little more and I’m always looking for new yummy recipes to try... This dish attracted me because of it’s exotic, but simple touch and interesting mix of ingredients.

I was not at all deceived by this speciality, especially by the wonderfully fragrant, but delicately spiced meatballs! But, my excitement was a bit mellowed down by the slightly bland taste of the sauce... So, as I can’t follow a recipe without changing things, I decided to pump it up with more flavor by adding lemon juice, orange rind and honey!...

This recipe was originally released for Brazilian television and created by Laka Brandao under the title “Laka’s Meatballs”. I adapted it and transformed it for more scrumptiousness….

Ingredients:
500g Ground beef
70g Peanuts, shelled, toasted and finely ground
1/2 Medium onion, finely chopped
3-4 Cloves garlic, crushed
1 Tsp Grated ginger root
1 Tbs Fresh coriander, chopped (optional)
1 Pinch ground nutmeg
2 Pinch ground cinnamon
2 Tbs Quick oatmeal (thin flakes)
Ground black pepper to taste
Salt to taste
Oil for frying (peanut oil)
Sauce:
400ml Chicken stock
2 Tbs Cornstarch
1 Tbs Runny honey
Juice of 1 orange
Juice of 1 lemon
1 Tsp Orange rind
2 Tsp grated fresh ginger
Salt and pepper to taste.

Method:
1. Mix all the ingredients for the meatballs together and check salt. Form app. 1 1/2 tablespoon balls.
2. Cook in oil until golden.
3. Reserve in the oven at 120°C (250°F)
4. Blend the orange juice, lemon juice and honey together with the cornstarch.
5. Stir into boiling stock along with ginger and orange rind.
6. Season with salt and pepper.
7. Bring to the boil until it thickens.
8. Serve over meatballs.

Remarks:
Don’t let the meatballs get too dry when in the oven.

Serving suggestions:
Serve the meatballs with white rice (carolina, parboiled, basmati, etc…) and slices of oranges.

(Brazilian Meatballs -Pic by Rosa www.rosas-yummy-yums.blogspot.com)
(Botafogo Bay -Pic by Nicolas Pouche www.trekearth.com)