Albondigas – Tapas Spanish Meatballs

Elena Duggan

Ingredients:

  • 500g Pork mince
  • 500g Veal mince
  • 150g Almond Meal
  • 150g (1lge) Spanish onion, finely diced
  • 4 cloves Garlic, crushed
  • 1-2 Eggs
  • 100g Manchego cheese (Parmesan substitution if unavailable), finely grated
  • 25g / ½ bunch Parsley, leaves only, finely chopped
  • 50g-100g Beef stock
  • Salt, to taste
  • Pepper, to taste
  • EVOO

Sauce Ingredients

  • 150g (1lge) Spanish onion
  • 1 can Crushed tomatoes
  • 150g Sherry
  • 150g Beef stock
  • 10g Sweet paprika
  • 10g Smoked paprika
  • Salt, to taste
  • Pepper, to taste

Optional to Serve

  • Slivered almonds
  • Parsley leaves only, finely chopped

Method:

  1. In a large bowl, add all ingredients and first egg only and 50g stock only. Mix together thoroughly, if mixture isn’t holding easily, add second egg and additional stock and mix through with hands.
  2. Keep a small bowl of water on standby to wet hands before rolling. Roll mixture into bite size meatballs. Place on a tray in the fridge until ready to cook.
  3. Heat oil in non-stick fry pan to a med-high heat. Cook meatballs in batches so as not to overcrowd pan, this will ensure even cooking and ease of turning. You’re looking for an even golden, slight crust on the meatballs, up to ten minutes per batch. Put aside until all cooked.
  4. Once all meatballs removed from pan, deglaze pan with sherry. Dislodge any sediment with your silicon spatula. Add remaining ingredients and simmer over low for up to 15minutes, reducing slightly. Taste and adjust seasoning.
    Return meatballs to sauce to just heat through before serving immediately.

Substitute Ingredients

  1. Replace veal with beef if preferred, or all pork as well.

Substitute Equipment

  1. If you’d prefer, you can blitz ingredients briefly in a food processor to combine – however too long may tighten the protein too much and end up with very firm meatballs.

Waste Tips

  1. Meatballs and sauce freeze well and can be defrosted and reheated at a later stage

Health Notes:

  • Grain Free
  • Gluten Free
  • Refined Sugar Free
  • Sugar Free – Low Fructose
  • Dairy Free, optional if you leave out cheese
  • Paleo Friendly
  • Ketogenic Friendly
  • BulletProof Friendly

Similar Recipes

Summer Snapper Spaghetti

Summer Snapper Spaghetti

Summer Snapper SpaghettiA bright, seaside-inspired pasta bursting with tender snapper, garlicky chilli heat, briny anchovies, and zingy capers. Tossed with spaghetti in a light white wine and lemon sauce, it’s fresh, vibrant, and perfect for a sun-soaked lunch or...

Miso Soup

Miso Soup

Miso SoupA delicate, umami-packed Japanese classic with silky tofu, tender wakame, and fragrant spring onions in a comforting miso and dashi broth. Perfect as a light starter or soothing bowl anytime.  Miso Soup A light, umami-rich Japanese soup made with dashi...

Chicken and Prawn Laksa

Chicken and Prawn Laksa

Chicken and Prawn LaksaDive into a bowl of rich, fragrant Malaysian-inspired goodness. Silky coconut-spiced broth, tender poached chicken, succulent prawns, tofu puffs, and fresh herbs come together with noodles for a soul-satisfying, aromatic feast. Topped with crisp...

French Peas

French Peas

French PeasSweet, tender peas meet crispy bacon, fragrant mint, and creamy crumbled goat cheese in this vibrant, quick-to-cook dish. Perfect as a light midweek main or a refined entrée, it’s a brilliant balance of freshness, richness, and irresistible comfort. Serve...

Yoghurt Flatbreads

Yoghurt Flatbreads

Yoghurt FlatbreadsSoft, pillowy, and lightly nutty from a sprinkle of sesame seeds, these easy flatbreads are the ultimate companion to curries, dips, or anything you want to scoop and savour. Made with just Greek yoghurt and self-raising flour, they come together in...

Root Vegetable Chips with Parmesan

Root Vegetable Chips with Parmesan

Root Vegetable Chips with ParmesanCrispy, golden, and irresistibly savoury—these rustic root vegetable chips are a wholesome take on your classic fry. Made with parsnip, turnip, and swede, each batch is pan-fried to crunchy perfection and finished with a generous...