Tasty meatballs recipe: fluffy or crispy

Do you remember how it was when you walked into the kitchen and smelled that irresistible smell of freshly fried meatballs, and a bowl full of golden brown goodness was sitting on the table? You couldn't wait to enjoy them hot, but they still seemed better the next day when you tucked them between two slices of bread, with a generous layer of mustard and maybe even a little cheese.

If I managed to whet your appetite, get ready, because we have no less than four recipes for fluffy or crispy meatballs that will remind you of those happy times and make you lick your fingers! Whether you want juicier, more "crunchy" pork meatballs, chicken meatballs, or vegetable meatballs, we invite you to try them all!

Fluffy pork meatballs recipe

Very important in the recipe for pork meatballs are two ingredients that give the texture "full", fluffy and juicy, and the special taste: bread and spices. Here, then, is how to make pork meatballs "like at home":

ingredients

• 1 kg minced pork
• 2 carrots
• 2 onions
• 2 eggs
• dill, parsley, thyme, salt, pepper, other spices to taste
• 1 slice of bread soaked in milk or water
• 2 medium potatoes
• flour to coat the meatballs before frying
• lard or oil for frying

Preparation method

After you have prepared the ingredients for the meatballs, drain the soaked bread well and then chop it, along with the fresh dill, which will add a pleasant aroma. Carefully mix the pork meat with the squeezed bread, chopped dill, eggs, and season everything with salt, pepper, and spices, to taste.

After you have obtained a homogeneous mixture, shape the meatballs either flat or round, according to the custom of the family, or according to your taste. Then lightly roll them in flour to get a nice crust during frying.

Heat enough lard in a frying pan to come halfway up the meatballs, and fry them over a suitable heat, covered, until they turn brown and golden. Carefully turn them to the other side, and when they are nicely colored, remove them from the pan.

Serve these simple meatballs from the above recipe hot, with a tomato sauce and a heaping pile of mash, with a salad or just some pickles, all ready to be enjoyed!

Chicken meatballs recipe

For the chicken meatballs recipe you will need slightly fattier meat, such as thighs, but you can also make delicious meatballs from chicken breast.

ingredients

• 600 g chicken meat (breast or thighs)
• 2 slices of bread soaked in milk or water
• 1 large egg
• 1-2 onions
• 1 bundle of parsley, salt, pepper
• 3-4 cloves of garlic (optional)
• flour or breadcrumbs for rolling
• lard or oil for frying (reserve 1-2 tbsp
• composition, if you make meatballs from chicken breast)

Preparation method

To try the recipe for delicious chicken meatballs, prepare the minced meat, then add the cured onion, the bread soaked well in milk or water, then squeezed, and the fresh parsley, finely chopped.

Mix all these ingredients well and pass the composition through the mincer again, this time using a thicker sieve, to obtain a fine texture. Add an egg, grated garlic, salt and pepper, to taste, and homogenize the composition.

After the mixture is ready, shape the meatballs according to the desired size, then roll them in flour or breadcrumbs to get a crispy crust.

Fry them in hot oil until they become nicely browned on both sides. Being slightly crispier than pork patties, they go great with fluffy mashed potatoes, or if you want extra flavor, you can drizzle them with melted butter and garlic slaw.

Zucchini meatballs recipe

It may seem surprising to you, but the recipe for zucchini meatballs is not only extremely simple, but also the key to a filling and delicious lunch that will conquer your taste buds! Here are the ingredients needed for zucchini meatballs:

Ingredients:

• 1 kg of zucchini
• 2-3 eggs
• 1/2 cup milk
• 300 g cheese or telemea cheese
• flour
• salt, pepper
• oil for frying

Preparation method:

Start by shaving the skin off the squash, cleaning it well and removing the seeds. After you grate them, sprinkle a little salt over them and keep them for 10-20 minutes in a sieve over a bowl to drain the juice. Then drain them well to remove excess liquid.

Add the flour (enough to obtain a suitably thick composition), the beaten eggs, the milk, and the telemeau or grated cheese. Season with salt and pepper to taste, and mix everything well until the composition becomes homogeneous.

Take a spoonful of this mixture and shape the meatballs with your hands, then roll them in flour. Heat the oil in a pan and fry the meatballs on both sides until they are nicely browned. Remove them to a paper towel to absorb the excess oil and they are ready to serve!

Potato meatballs recipe

Of course, meatballs made from pork, beef or chicken are very popular and have a specific taste, but those made from vegetables, such as zucchini or potatoes, bring out the natural flavors and have a special taste, perfect for a light and delicious lunch .

Ingredients:

• 1 kg potatoes
• 2-3 eggs
• 1 large onion
• flour for rolling
• salt, pepper to taste
• oil for frying

Preparation method:

Boil the potatoes in their skins and peel them after they cool. Put them through the mincer or mash them well. In the meantime, gently fry the finely chopped onion in a little oil, drain it and add it to the chopped potatoes.

In the obtained composition, add the eggs, salt and pepper to taste, as well as three quarters of the amount of flour. Mix everything well and quickly to homogenize the composition.

From this composition, shape a roll and cut it into small pieces of 40-50 g, which you will turn into meatballs. Roll each patty in flour, then fry them in hot oil until golden and crispy. After frying, remove the meatballs to a paper towel to absorb excess oil (this tip applies to each of the meatball recipes above, by the way).

Tips for delicious meatballs

Making fluffy and juicy meatballs is not difficult at all, but you need to know a few tricks in order not to fail.

• The secret to the most popular fluffy meatball recipes is the bread. Add 100-150 g of bread core to 500 g of meat. Soak it well in cold water or milk and wring it out as dry as possible. This will give the meatballs a smooth and fluffy texture.
• You can find pork, beef or chicken for the meatballs in our meat section; either you choose ready-made minced meat, or you can chop it at home, with a meat grinder or a blender.
• One egg for every 500 g of meat is enough to bind the composition. Avoid adding too much or the meatballs will come out tough.
• In the composition, put between 60-100 g of finely chopped onion and 1-2 tablespoons of fresh parsley or dill. Add salt and pepper to taste - they give the meatballs that well-balanced flavor.
• If we still got to salt and pepper, we have to insist: don't skimp on spices! In addition to parsley and dill, try other herbs: oregano, basil, thyme, marjoram, or even a pinch of sweet paprika and garlic. They will give the meatballs an unforgettable flavor!
• The tastiest meatballs, however, are obtained from a mixture of beef and pork in equal proportions. This mix brings a perfect combination of flavor and juiciness.
• Fried mincemeat, such as meatballs or roasts, should always be placed in well-heated fat. Thus, the meatballs will get a nice crust, while remaining tender inside.
• Do you want meatballs with a light texture? Add a little cream or milk to the composition, together with the salt and greens.
• When mixing the fluffy pork meatballs or crispy chicken meatballs, use your hands, not a spoon or fork. This way you ensure that the ingredients combine perfectly without crushing the meat.
• You can put raw onions, but if you stew them a little in fat before, the meatballs will be much more aromatic and sweet.
• The minced meat is fried immediately after preparation. Avoid leaving the composition overnight.

And so, with the above recipes, you are ready to recreate the moments full of flavors in the kitchen, whether you opt for meatballs or vegetable meatballs. Each variant has its own charm and flavor, perfect for any appetite. Do not forget that the secret to the success of a fluffy meatball recipe lies in the balance of ingredients such as bread and eggs, and frying in well-heated oil. Experiment with your favorite spices and enjoy their unmistakable taste. Our store with traditional Romanian products can quickly deliver the necessary ingredients for the meatballs, so that you can focus on preparing authentic meals. Bon appetit!