Blend & Extend Appetizer Contest: Beef Mushroom Meatballs With Maple Dijon Sauce by Fox in the Kitchen
We’re sharing our very last submission to the FBC Blend & Extend Appetizer Contest before revealing the big winner tomorrow.
Laureen from Fox in the Kitchen made it in just before the contest close, and we’re happy she did! She took a classic party treat and made them healthy and delicious using the Blend & Extend method. You’ve got to try these Beef Mushroom Meatballs With Maple Dijon Sauce!
Ingredients
* Always refer to packaging labels for the most up to date allergy information
Meatballs
1 small onion, chopped
1 Tbsp cooking oil, divided
1/2 lb mushrooms, diced
1 tsp oregano
1 tsp thyme
1 tsp parsley
1 tsp basil
1/4 tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp sea salt
1/4 tsp ground pepper
1 extra-large egg
2 Tbsp tomato paste
1 lb extra lean ground beef
Sauce
1/4 Cup maple syrup
1/4 Cup dijon mustard
1 tsp vegetable oil
1 tsp apple cider vinegar
Garnish
(Optional) sprig fresh rosemary, chopped
Instructions
Meatballs
1. In a thick-bottomed skillet over medium heat, sauté chopped onions in a small amount of cooking oil along with a pinch of salt (the salt helps to release the onions sweet juices). Cook uncovered, stirring occasionally until the onions are deeply golden, brown, and caramelized (about 15-20 minutes). Remove from heat and set aside to cool.
2. Meanwhile, preheat oven to 400°F. Line baking pan with parchment paper.
3. In a medium bowl mix chopped mushrooms with oil. Layer mushrooms evenly on prepared baking pan.
4. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, stirring every 5-7 minutes, until the mushrooms are tender and reduced in size. Remove from the heat and allow to cool. Process in a food processor until finely chopped but not puréed. Set aside.
5. Turn oven temperature down to 375°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
6. In a small bowl, or mortar and pestle, combine spices.
7. In large bowl, lightly beat egg. Add cooled onions, roasted mushrooms, spice mixture and tomato paste. Stir until blended. Add ground beef, stir until combined.
8. Form into meatballs about 1 1/2 inches in diameter and place on prepared pan. Recipe makes about 24 meatballs.
9. Bake for 20 minutes, or until meatballs are nicely browned and cooked through. For even cooking, spin the pan after 10 minutes.
10. While the meatballs are cooking, make the sauce.
Sauce
In a small saucepan, combine syrup, mustard, oil and vinegar, whisk to blend. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low and simmer, stirring often, for 8 to 10 minutes or until reduced to a glaze-like consistency. Remove from heat.
Note: Be careful when stirring, as the hot liquid bubbles up, sputters and splashes.
Serving
Once finished cooking, arrange meatballs on a serving plate, top each one with a dollop of sauce, insert fancy toothpicks, sprinkle plated meatballs with chopped fresh rosemary, and serve warm, as appetizers.
Laureen Fox is an enthusiastic amateur cook and Canadian Food Blogger from Vancouver BC. She loves spending her days creating good wholesome food in the Fox Kitchen. Evenings will find her blogging about the best that living without gluten has to offer.
Follow along with Laureen at Fox in the Kitchen, as well as on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest.
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We can’t wait to announce our winner tomorrow! Stay tuned!!
