Boulets Liegeois (Belgian Meatballs)

Submitted by Chef PotPie

"Belgian meatballs swimming in an apple and onion gravy. In Belgium they are served with French fries! If this is wrong, I don't want to be right! From Cooking With Curls website"

 

• Ready In: 1hr 40mins
• Ingredients: 19
• Serves: 6

ingredients

• For the meatballs

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 lb ground pork
• 4 slices white bread, crusts removed, crumbed (turned into breadcrumbs)
• 1 yellow onion, diced
• 1 bunch Italian parsley, finely chopped
• 2 large eggs
• salt and pepper, to taste
• flour (for dredging)
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter

• For the Sauce

• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 3 cups diced onions
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 2 tablespoons flour
• 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
• 2⁄3 cup apple butter
• 3 cups beef stock
• 2 bay leaves
• salt and pepper, to taste

directions

1. Mix beef and pork together in a large bowl to thoroughly combine.
2. Add the breadcrumbs, eggs, parsley, and onions. Mix thoroughly.
3. Roll into meatballs, about 1/2 cup each, and dredge in flour.
4. Heat butter in a large skillet over medium heat.
5. Add the meatballs and brown on all sides, about 8 to 10 minutes on each side.
6. Remove meatballs to a plate. Melt 2 Tablespoons of butter to the skillet.
7. Add the chopped onions and reduce heat to medium-low. Cook until onions are caramelized.
8. Add the brown sugar and thyme, stir and cook for 1 minute.
9. Add the flour, stir to combine.
10. Add apple butter and vinegar, stir.
11. Pour in the beef stock, and add the bay leaves. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for 25 minutes.
12. Add the meatballs back to the sauce and cook for 15 minutes to heat through.
13. Serve immediately with pomme frites {French fries} and Belgian beer or wine.

Reviews

[MarraMamba]

Unique and sensational. I couldn’t find apple butter so had to use apple sauce and it was still delicious. Thanks for sharing such a great recipe

 

[LifeIsGood]

Yummo! These meatballs have such a great flavor! The gravy was delicious, too. It was made unique by that apple butter. Soooooo good! I made some mashed potatoes to go with these and had a true comfort food meal. Thank you!

 

[Jostlori]

Ten stars! I agree with Lynn - this has to be one of the best meals I've made on this tour! However, we're french fried out (didn't think that was humanly possible - but sadly it is), so I served it with spaetzle. I made about half the recipe and it was more than enough for two. The apple butter is definitely the star here, although I doubt you could put your finger on what it was if you didn't already know. Super delicious! Thanks for posting this keeper of a recipe! Made for SWT 2019 - The Traveling Tastebuds.

 

[Lavender Lynn]

These meatballs and the sauce were so good. The flavors in the sauce went so well together. The apple butter is what put the gravy way over the top. We had these with fries and fry sauce. The two dishes complemented each other so well. One of our best dinners this summer. Thank you for a great recipe.