Beer-battered meatballs

Beer dough meatballs - a recipe that combines tradition with innovation and will surely bring smiles to the faces of your loved ones. I invite you to discover step by step how to prepare these delicious meatballs, enveloped in a fluffy and aromatic dough, perfect for any occasion. Whether you serve them at a party, on a picnic, or as an appetizer at dinner, these meatballs will surely impress.

Preparation time
- Preparation time: 30 minutes
- Rising time: 25 minutes
- Baking time: 25-30 minutes
- Total: 1 hour and 25 minutes
- Number of servings: 6-8 servings

Ingredients

For the dough:
- 500 g flour
- 25 g fresh yeast
- 5 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 300 ml beer (choose a quality beer with a pleasant taste)

For the meatballs:
- 900 g minced pork (you can also use minced beef or chicken, depending on your preferences)
- 1 egg
- 3 tablespoons breadcrumbs
- 2 small onions, finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon Delikat (or another preferred seasoning)
- Pepper, to taste
- Cumin, to taste
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder

For the sauce:
- 1 can of tomatoes in puree (about 400 g)
- 4 garlic cloves, chopped
- A little oregano or thyme, to taste
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste (for extra flavor)
- 1 teaspoon honey (to balance the acidity of the tomatoes)

Preparation

Step 1: Preparing the dough
1. In a large bowl, combine the flour with the salt, mixing well.
2. In a glass, dissolve the yeast in 100 ml of warm water (not hot, to avoid killing the yeast) and let it sit for 5-10 minutes until it becomes frothy.
3. Add the activated yeast to the bowl with flour, along with the olive oil and beer. Mix everything until you obtain a homogeneous dough.
4. Knead the dough for about 10 minutes until it becomes elastic and no longer sticks to your hands. If it's too sticky, you can add a little more flour.

Step 2: Preparing the meatballs
1. In another bowl, mix the minced meat with the egg, breadcrumbs, chopped onion, Delikat, pepper, cumin, and garlic powder. Make sure the ingredients are well integrated.
2. Form round meatballs of your desired size, about 3 cm in diameter.

Step 3: Shaping and rising
1. Divide the dough into equal balls, which you will roll out with a rolling pin until you obtain thin shapes.
2. In each dough disc, place a meatball and pinch the edges of the dough to seal them well, forming balls. Make sure there are no gaps to prevent leaks during baking.
3. Place the formed balls in a round baking tray lined with parchment paper, leaving a little space between them. Cover them with a clean towel and let them rise for 25 minutes.

Step 4: Baking
1. Preheat the oven to 180°C (fan mode).
2. After the meatballs have risen, place the tray in the oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until they become golden and crispy.

Step 5: Preparing the sauce
1. In a blender, mix the canned tomatoes for a few seconds. Then, pass the mixture through a sieve to separate the skins.
2. In the obtained sauce, add the chopped garlic, salt, pepper, oregano or thyme, 1 tablespoon of tomato paste, and 1 teaspoon of honey. Mix well and let it simmer on low heat for 10 minutes to blend the flavors.

Serving
The meatballs can be served warm or cold, alongside the prepared sauce. You can also add a fresh salad or grilled vegetables to complete the meal. A glass of cold beer would be the perfect accompaniment to this recipe.

Useful tips
- Use a quality beer, as its flavor will influence the final taste of the dough.
- If you prefer a spicier sauce, you can add a few slices of hot pepper to the tomato sauce.
- Experiment with different types of meat; meatballs made from beef or chicken will have a different, but equally delicious taste.

Nutritional benefits
These meatballs contain protein from the meat, while the beer dough provides a light and pleasant texture. The tomatoes in the sauce are rich in lycopene, an important antioxidant, and garlic has antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties.

Frequently asked questions
- Can I use another type of flour? Yes, you can experiment with whole wheat or gluten-free flour, but keep in mind that the texture will vary.
- How can I make the meatballs less greasy? You can bake the meatballs in the oven without dough, using only the ingredients for the meatballs.
- What other sauces can I prepare? You can try a yogurt sauce with dill or a mustard sauce for an interesting variation.

Variations
- For a vegetarian option, replace the meat with a mixture of finely chopped vegetables or tofu, and add spices to enhance the flavor.
- You can add cheese to the meatball mixture for extra flavor and creaminess.

These beer dough meatballs are a perfect choice to add a touch of originality to your meal. Not only are they delicious, but they are also fun to prepare! So, put on your apron, gather the ingredients, and let's cook!