Bitterballen

Name: Bitterballen
Prep time: 2 h
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 2 h 10 min
Yield: 8
Cuisine: Dutch
Ingredients: 500g beef mince; 1 brown onion, diced; 1.5 tbsp salt, divided; 1 tsp black pepper; 0.5 tsp nutmeg; 120g unsalted butter; 120g flour (for roux); 700ml beef stock; small handful of parsley, chopped; 200g flour (for coating); 200g breadcrumbs; 3 eggs, beaten; tallow or oil, for frying

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Bitterballen

Ingredients

500g beef mince
1 brown onion, diced
1.5 tbsp salt, divided
1 tsp black pepper
0.5 tsp nutmeg
120g unsalted butter
120g flour (for roux)
700ml beef stock
small handful of parsley, chopped
200g flour (for coating)
200g breadcrumbs
3 eggs, beaten
tallow or oil, for frying

Directions

In a frying pan, sauté the diced onion with a tablespoon of beef tallow and a big pinch of salt for 2-3 minutes. Add the beef mince, another pinch of salt, black pepper, and nutmeg. Cook for 5-6 minutes, then remove from heat and set aside.
In a medium-sized saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook the roux for 3-4 minutes. Gradually add the beef stock in 2 to 3 additions, whisking continuously until the sauce is thick and smooth. Continue to cook for an additional 4-5 minutes, then pour over the cooked beef and onion mixture. Add the chopped parsley and stir well.
Line a tray with greaseproof paper and pour the beef mixture onto it, spreading it out flat. Chill in the freezer for 1 hour or in the fridge overnight until solid.
Once set, turn the mixture out of the tray, remove the paper, and cut into 2cm x 2cm cubes. Roll each cube into a ball. Coat each ball first in flour, then dip in the beaten eggs, and finally coat in breadcrumbs. Place on a tray dusted with extra breadcrumbs until ready to fry.
Heat tallow or oil to 170°C. Fry the bitterballen for 4-5 minutes, or until golden brown. Serve with mustard.