Bitterballen - Dutch Crispy Deep Fried Meatballs

beef

🥗Healthier: chicken

💰Cheaper: pork

Chicken provides a leaner option while pork is often less expensive.

beef broth

🥗Healthier: vegetable broth

💰Cheaper: water with seasoning

Vegetable broth retains flavor while being lighter.

butter

🥗Healthier: olive oil

💰Cheaper: margarine

Olive oil offers healthier fats, while margarine is often cheaper.

breadcrumbs

🥗Healthier: ground oats

💰Cheaper: crushed crackers

Ground oats are a healthier alternative, while crushed crackers can be more economical.

Sear the beef in a cast iron pan with 1 tbsp of vegetable oil until nicely browned. Work in batches to avoid cooling down the pan too quickly.

Sear the onions and carrots and brown nicely.

Add the rest of the ingredients from the 'beef braise' section with the browned meat to the Instant Pot. Close the lid and set it on high pressure for 35 minutes.

Once the timer goes off, let it cool for 20 minutes. Manually release the rest of the pressure.

Strain the liquid from the braise and save 250ml of the braising liquid. Once the beef is cool enough to handle, shred it into small pieces with your hands. Discard the vegetables and spices.

Begin by melting the butter in the pan. Add the flour and whisk.

Cook over low heat until a blond colour roux is made. About 3 minutes.

Add the braising liquid slowly and whisk continually to make a smooth sauce with no lumps of flour.

Once all the liquid is mixed in add the shredded beef, allspice, marmite and fresh black pepper. Cook gently until the mixture thickens slightly for about 2 minutes. Taste. Make sure it's seasoned nicely with salt and pepper.

Let this cool completely on a tray at room temperature for 10 minutes. Once it's cool enough to put in the fridge, cover with plastic wrap and store in the fridge for about two hours or overnight.

Once the mixture is completely cooled, begin to roll it into little balls (smaller than a ping pong ball).

Get three containers with high sides and fill one with flour, one with beaten eggs and the other with the panko bread crumbs. Dredge the balls in the flour, then the eggs and finally the panko breadcrumbs.

Once breaded you can store some in the freezer for later or fry some now in a deep fryer at 170°C/350°F for about 5-6 minutes or until nicely golden and hot in the middle.

Serve with a side of mustard and a nice cold beer. Enjoy!

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Allergens