Euro 2024 Football Cup is heading for quarter-finals, and my new favourite team, the Netherlands, is doing very well!
Why my new favourite? Well, this is my son's newly adopted country; you could say he's still an infant in the Netherlands, learning about the culture, and the food, of course!
When I was visiting there last year, balls featured on most menus:
- Bitterballen - a thick meat stew is placed in the refrigerator till firm, rolled into small round balls
yes, I know a ball is round, dipped in breadcrumbs, and deep-fried.
And... - Kroketten (Croquettes) - also deep-fried round balls made with tender meat in gravy, and dipped into breadcrumbs.
Did I like these balls?
To be absolutely honest, I was disappointed. They were ok, but not as tasty as South African meatballs!
I was expecting something like our Meat Balls, or 'Frikkadel', which is what I want to share with you today.
These are shaped into balls that are flattened and become patties and are shallow-fried.
Make them big enough, and they become burger patties! Shape them into tiny balls, deep-fry, and you have the perfect party snack!
A Dutch pastry that also is in the shape of a ball is...
- Oliebollen - small doughnuts made with a yeast dough filled with apples and raisins, and dusted with powdered sugar.
Did I like these pastry balls?
Yes, they were so good that I'd finished mine before remembering to take a photo, but I did take a photo of Verwijk's Oliebollen stand where I had my very first taste of this traditional Dutch treat.
Recipe for today - Kick-offAss Meatballs
- 600 gram lean ground Beef (or Lamb if that's your preference)
- 1 Onion, finely diced
- Parsley & Mint, diced
- 150ml rolled Oats
- 1 Egg
- Season to taste - I use powdered Coriander, Cayenne pepper and Salt
Mix all ingredients and shape into balls
Heat a thin layer of oil in a heavy-based pan, and place meatballs in the hot pan.
Flatten the balls with a spatula.
Fry and turn when golden brown to cook the other side of the meatball, which now looks more like a meat pattie:)
Serve with creamy mashed potatoes and a green vegetable (Spinach, in this instance, mashed with fried onion and tomato, and a small potato...plustoo muchloads of butter and Cayenne Pepper.)
The Final Score in my eyes
Kick-Ass Meatballs were almost flattened at the start of the battle, but they were on the ball, and rose to the occasion, lifting the trophy for the battle of the balls! in my eyes at least.
Back to where we started, I'm rooting for the Netherlands,
and hope they beat the odds and lift that trophy!
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