

CREAMY CHICKEN MEATBALLS AND MUSHROOM SAUCE
For the Meatballs:
¾ cup bread crumbs
1 egg
1 teaspoon oregano
1 teaspoon paprika
3 garlic cloves, minced
¼ cup grated Parmesan
550 grams/ 1.25 pounds ground chicken
salt to taste
2 tablespoons olive oil
For the Sauce:
2 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon butter
2 garlic cloves, minced
½ cup chopped onions
1 cup finely chopped mushrooms
2 tablespoons flour
1 ½ cups low sodium chicken broth
1 teaspoon dried rosemary
1/2 teaspoon dried parsley
½ teaspoon paprika
salt and pepper to taste
½ cup heavy cream
Make the meatballs:
In a large bowl, mix together all the ingredients except ground chicken and oil.
Mix well and add the ground chicken.
Mix till just combined. Form the mixture into approximately 18 meatballs.
Set aside.
Sear: Heat two tablespoons Olive Oil in a pan and add as many meatballs as will fit into the pan without overcrowding.
You may have to do this in batches.
On high heat, brown the meatballs on all sides and remove them on a plate.
Sauce:
Heat two tablespoons olive oil and a tablespoon of butter in the same pan.
Add garlic and onions.
Cook till the onions soften and become translucent.
Add the mushrooms and cook for another 2-3 minutes.
Stir in the flour and cook for another minute to get rid of the raw flour flavor.
Slowly add the chicken broth and keep whisking continuously till the sauce thickens.
Stir in the rosemary, parsley, paprika, salt, pepper and meatballs.
Add a little more stock or water if the sauce is too thick.
Simmer the meatballs for ten minutes.
Stir in the heavy cream and switch off the flame. Serve hot with noodles, rice or mashed potatoes.
Photo and recipe: Annalize Hattingh