Description
Succulent pork apple meatballs bring Nordic comfort to dinner tables with a perfect balance of savory meat and sweet fruit. Fragrant herbs and tender texture invite home cooks to savor this delightful Scandinavian-inspired dish that promises warmth and satisfaction.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Protein:
- 1 pound (454 grams) ground pork, not too lean for the best flavor
Fruits and Aromatics:
- 1 sweet apple, freshly grated
Binding and Seasoning Ingredients:
- 1/4 cup soft breadcrumbs
- 1 large egg
- 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
Sauce Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) olive oil
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) fresh apple cider
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) chicken broth
- 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) heavy cream
Instructions
- Combine ground pork, grated apple, breadcrumbs, egg, Dijon mustard, thyme, salt, and pepper in a mixing bowl. Gently knead ingredients until evenly distributed.
- Form mixture into uniform, compact meatballs approximately 1.5 inches in diameter.
- Warm olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat (around 350°F). Carefully place meatballs into the pan, ensuring they are not overcrowded.
- Rotate meatballs every 2-3 minutes to achieve a golden-brown exterior, cooking for approximately 6-8 minutes total.
- Remove meatballs from skillet and set aside on a clean plate.
- Deglaze the same skillet by pouring in apple cider and chicken broth. Use a wooden spoon to scrape up the caramelized meat fragments from the pan’s bottom.
- Reduce heat to low and stir in heavy cream, allowing the liquid to simmer gently and develop a rich, smooth consistency.
- Carefully return meatballs to the skillet, nestling them into the creamy sauce.
- Cover and simmer for 10-12 minutes, ensuring meatballs reach an internal temperature of 160°F and the sauce thickens to a luxurious coating.
Notes
- Choose lean ground pork for a healthier version of these meatballs, which helps reduce overall fat content while maintaining juiciness.
- Grate the apple fresh to ensure maximum moisture and natural sweetness in the meatballs, preventing them from becoming dry.
- Consider using gluten-free breadcrumbs or almond flour for a low-carb or gluten-sensitive diet adaptation that maintains the recipe’s delicate texture.
- Swap heavy cream with coconut milk for a dairy-free alternative that still provides richness and complements the apple and pork flavors perfectly.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg