SALSBURY MEATBALLS

I was on a quest today for something new and different. It had to be simple, quick, and using ingredients I had on hand. The result was Salsbury Meatballs that I served over egg noodles.

MEATBALLS

2 pounds ground beef *

3/4 cup Panko bread crumbs

1 tablespoon Italian seasoning

1/4 cup ketchup

1/8 cup whole grain mustard

1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

salt

pepper

* you could use venison, or a combination of beef, pork, and veal

With your hands, gently mix all the ingredients until well blended. You don’t want to overwork it because it will make them tough, but you do want everything well combined. Form into meatballs about one inch round.

In a large skillet, heat your olive oil and brown the meatballs on all sides. They do not have to be completely cooked because they will continue cooking in the sauce later. Remove from the pan and set aside.

SAUCE

2 tablespoons butter

1 large onion, cut in half and sliced thinly

3 cups beef broth

1 tablespoon ketchup

1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

1 teaspoon whole grain mustard

2 tablespoons flour

1/4 cup beef broth

Drain the remaining fat from the pan where you cooked your meatballs. Add the butter and onions and saute until the onions are translucent and tender.

Add the beef broth, ketchup, mustard, and Worcestershire sauce, scraping all the goodies off the bottom of the pan. Bring to a light boil.

Meanwhile, add about a 1/4 cup of beef broth to 2 tablespoons of all purpose flour. Mix well until all lumps disappear. When the sauce begins to boil add this mixture to it. This will thicken your sauce.

Add the meatballs to the sauce and simmer for 10-15 minutes.