VEAL MEATBALLS WITH BRAISED VEGETABLES

Veal Meatballs with Braised Vegetables image

We've lightened traditional meatballs with veal and added Mediterranean accents to achieve a bright, springtime flavor. Chicken broth and matzo meal take the place of milk and bread crumbs to keep the meatballs exceptionally tender.

Categories Food Processor Beef Olive Vegetable Braise Broil Passover Quick & Easy Dinner Veal Kosher Gourmet Dairy Free Peanut Free Tree Nut Free Soy Free No Sugar Added

Yield Makes 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 15

Ingredients

2 1/2 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth (20 fl oz)
1/3 cup matzo meal
7 oz brine-cured green olives (1 cup medium), pitted
2 garlic cloves, chopped
1 large egg
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
1 lb ground veal
5 tablespoons olive oil plus additional for greasing pan
2 medium fennel bulbs (sometimes called anise; 2 lb total), stalks cut off and discarded and bulbs halved lengthwise, then cut lengthwise into 1/3-inch-thick slices
1 lb carrots (6 medium), cut diagonally into 1-inch pieces
1 tablespoon water
2 1/4 teaspoons potato starch
Accompaniment: lemon wedges

Steps:

Heat 1/2 cup broth until warm, then add matzo meal and soak 10 minutes.
While matzo soaks, chop enough olives to measure 1/3 cup, then quarter remainder and set aside. Pulse soaked matzo and chopped olives in a food processor along with garlic, egg, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper until olives and garlic are finely chopped and egg is incorporated. Add 1/4 cup parsley and pulse until parsley is finely chopped.
Transfer matzo mixture to a bowl and add veal, mixing gently with your hands until combined. Chill, covered, 30 minutes.
Preheat broiler. Line a 15- by 10-inch shallow baking pan or baking sheet with foil, and brush foil with oil. Using wet hands, form veal mixture into 1 1/2-inch balls, arranging in 1 layer as formed in baking pan.
Broil meatballs 4 to 6 inches from heat, turning once with a spatula and tongs, until browned, about 10 minutes total.
While meatballs are broiling, heat 3 tablespoons oil in a 12-inch heavy skillet (2 to 3 inches deep) over moderately high heat until hot but not smoking. Brown fennel in 2 batches, turning occasionally, 5 to 7 minutes per batch. Transfer to a plate, then brown carrots in remaining 2 tablespoons oil in skillet, stirring occasionally, 5 to 7 minutes.
Return fennel to skillet and add meatballs, remaining 2 cups chicken broth, and remaining 1/4 teaspoon each of salt and pepper. Simmer, covered, until vegetables are tender, about 20 minutes.
Whisk together water and potato starch in a small bowl. Stir into meatball mixture and boil, uncovered, until sauce is thickened slightly, about 2 minutes (sauce will continue to thicken off the heat). Remove from heat and sprinkle with remaining 2 tablespoons parsley and quartered olives. Season with salt.