RICOTTA POLENTA WITH DRUNKEN MEATBALLS | SERVING DUMPLINGS

Ricotta Polenta with Drunken Meatballs | Serving Dumplings image

Provided by @MakeItYours

Number Of Ingredients 23

200 g (7 oz) instant polenta
500 ml (2 cups) chicken broth
500 ml (2 cups) whole milk
200 g (7 oz) whole milk ricotta
80 g (2.8 oz) grated Parmesan
2 tbsp unsalted butter
salt and black pepper, to taste
500 g (17.6 oz) ground meat, I used 70% pork with 30% beef
1/2 tsp each: salt, black pepper, sweet paprika, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, onion powder
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1 egg
2 tbsp breadcrumbs
2 medium onions, thinly sliced
3 garlic cloves, minced
250 ml (1 cup) brown beer (use a dark beer with dominant malty sweet flavors)
250 ml (1 cup) chicken broth
3 tbsp olive oil
3 tbsp unsalted butter
1 tsp mild mustard
1 tsp each: black pepper, dried oregano, dried thyme
2 tbsp flour
chopped chives, for serving
salad, roasted broccoli or green beans, for serving

Steps:

Let me guide you through the recipe with this step-by-step VIDEO.
Combine all the ingredients for the meatballs in a large bowl. Mix until just combined, using your hands. Roll the meat into 2 tablespoon-size balls.
In a large non-stick skillet, heat 1 tbsp butter and 2 tbsp olive oil over medium heat. Add the meatballs and brown on all sides, about 10-12 minutes or until they're cooked through, turning them 2-3 times. Transfer to a plate.
In the same skillet, add 1 tbsp oil and 2 tbsp butter. Cook onions for 5 minutes over low heat. Add garlic, cook for 2 minutes. Stir in black pepper, oregano, thyme and flour. Allow the flour to cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly. Pour the brown beer and chicken broth, then stir in the mustard. Bring the sauce to a boil.Slide the meatballs back and all of their released juices into the skillet. Add salt and pepper to your own taste. Simmer over low heat while you make the polenta.
In a saucepan, bring chicken stock and milk to a boil. Slowly whisk in the polenta, stirring continuously, about 2-3 minutes, over low heat. Turn off the heat. Stir in ricotta, parmesan, salt and black pepper. Add butter and stir to combine. Cover and let stand for 1 minute. If the polenta thickens too much, thin with some additional milk or chicken stock. Add more salt and pepper, if needed.
Divide polenta over bowls, top with meatballs and gravy. Serve with chopped chives, a salad or roasted broccoli. Enjoy!