Albóndigas with Mushrooms

• servings: 6
• active time: 1 hr 25 minutes
• total time: 3 hours 40 minutes

Ingredients

2 tablespoons unsalted butter

2 tablespoons all-purpose flour, plus more for dredging

1/2 cup milk

1 pound ground chuck

1/2 pound ground pork

2 large eggs, lightly beaten

3 tablespoons minced parsley

1 tablespoons white Rioja or other dry white wine

1 large garlic clove, grated

1 teaspoon sweet paprika

Kosher salt

Pepper

1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil

2 medium tomatoes, halved crosswise

1/2 cup minced onion

1/2 cup finely chopped carrot

5 garlic cloves, minced

Kosher salt

Pepper

1/2 teaspoon sweet paprika

1 tablespoon all-purpose flour

1/2 cup white Rioja or other dry white wine

3 tablespoons brandy or dry sherry

2 cups chicken stock or low-sodium broth

1/4 cup finely chopped parsley

1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil

1 pound mixed wild mushrooms, such as cremini, oyster and chanterelle, cut into 1-inch pieces

Kosher salt

Pepper

Directions

Make the meatballs In a small saucepan, melt the butter. Add the flour; cook over moderate heat, whisking, until a thick paste forms, 1 minute. Gradually whisk in the milk and cook until thick, 2 to 3 minutes. Scrape into a large bowl and let cool slightly. Add the chuck, pork, eggs, parsley, wine, garlic, paprika, 2 teaspoons of salt and 1 teaspoon of pepper; mix well. Cover and refrigerate for about 2 hours.

Form the meat mixture into 1 1/2-inch balls. In a large saucepan, heat 2 tablespoons of the oil. Dredge half the meatballs in flour. Cook over moderately high heat, turning, until browned all over, about 8 minutes. Transfer to a plate. Repeat with the remaining 2 tablespoons of oil and meatballs; don’t wipe out the pan.

Make the sauce Grate the tomato halves on the large holes of a box grater set in a bowl until only the skins remain; discard the skins.

Add the onion, carrot, garlic and a generous pinch of salt to the saucepan and cook over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until just starting to brown, about 8 minutes. Add the tomatoes and paprika and simmer over moderate heat until slightly reduced, 3 to 5 minutes. Stir in the flour, then stir in the wine and brandy and simmer until barely thickened, 5 minutes. Transfer to a blender and puree until very smooth. Return to the saucepan, whisk in the stock and bring to a boil. Season with salt and pepper.

Add the meatballs to the sauce, cover and simmer over moderately low heat until cooked through, about 15 minutes. Uncover and simmer until the sauce is slightly thickened, about 5 minutes. Stir in the parsley, cover and keep warm over very low heat.

Meanwhile, make the mushrooms In a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of the oil until shimmering. Add half the mushrooms; season with salt and pepper and cook over moderately high heat, stirring occasionally, until browned, 8 minutes. Transfer to a bowl. Repeat with the remaining oil and mushrooms.

Spoon the meatballs and sauce into bowls, top with the mushrooms and serve.

Notes

Added some sautéed green beans with pesto and a slab of rosemary sourdough to make it a meal.