Carolyn's Meatballs in Lemon Sauce

Submitted by bshemyshua

"This recipe given to me by my mom over 20 years ago is not the usual cream-lemon sauce, but is a beef based sauce with a slight tangy flavor that compliments the meatballs and goes well with steamed white rice."

 

• Ready In: 33mins
• Ingredients: 9
• Serves: 4-6

ingredients

• 1 egg, beaten
• 1 1⁄2 lbs ground beef
• 1 cup fresh breadcrumb
• 1 1⁄2 teaspoons salt
• 1⁄4 teaspoon pepper
• 3 cups boiling beef broth (made from boullion cubes is acceptable)
• 3 tablespoons flour, blended with
• 1⁄2 cup water
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice

directions

1. Combine beaten egg, ground beef, bread crumbs, salt and pepper in a large bowl and form into 24 large meatballs.
2. Bring beef broth to a boil, then add meatballs. Lower heat and poach gently for 15 minutes.
3. Whisk to smooth 3 TBLS. flour and 1/2 cup of water.
4. Remove meatballs to a heated dish and skim any fat from broth.
5. Slowly stir flour mixture in to simmering broth and stir with a whisk until sauce thickens.(sauce will be thin).
6. Add lemon juice to sauce and return meatballs to the sauce. Simmer 5 minutes before serving.

Reviews

[Laura2of7]

I don't usually write a review for a recipe that I make significant changes to, but the result was so good that I just had to share. The lemon sauce inspired me to give it a Mediterranean twist, so I started with ground lamb. I added some minced garlic, dried marjoram and the freshly-grated zest of a lemon. Then, the meatballs went into chicken broth. I thickened the sauce with the flour and added all the juice from the lemon. So good! Besides rice, you could also serve this with couscous, noodles, or even potatoes.<br/><br/>I have to say, I'd never poached meatballs before and was a little nervous. Not to worry. It's GENIUS! No constant turning, no splattered grease on the stove, no heating up the oven...Why haven't I heard of this before now?<br/><br/>Thanks, bshemyshua, for posting. Sorry I didn't follow it exactly, but it's a great recipe and it's been saved in my recipe box.

 

[Leslie]

These were absolutley the best meatballs I have ever made! The sauce is to die for. I did add more like 2 tbsp lemon juice, and it gave it just a little extra flavour, but not lemony by any means. The meatballs held together really well,I think because of the poaching. Thanks for a delicious recipe!

 

[ANN N.]

This was different than any meatball recipe I have tried before. I thought it was good and very easy to make. The lemon sauce was a good compliment to the meat. My husband, who is not a meatball fan, thought they were very good meatballs. I spaced making the rice until everything was almost finished and so I served it over noodles instead.

 

[MrsMM]

This was a very simple and tasty recipe. DH said that it tasted even better as leftovers, probably because the meatballs soaked the sauce a bit. Easy, fairly healthy and satisfying. Only change we made was ground turkey instead of beef. Thanks for sharing.