These partridge meatballs with cheese provide an interesting twist on traditional meatballs. They are served in a savory sauce of garlic, onion, green bell pepper, and wine.
Partridge Meatballs with Cheese in Savory Sauce
These partridge meatballs with cheese provide an interesting twist on traditional meatballs. They are served in a savory sauce of garlic, onion, green bell pepper, and wine.
Ingredients
Serves: 6 to 8
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/4 cup finely chopped onion
- 1/4 cup finely chopped green bell pepper
- 2 garlic cloves finely chopped
- 1 bay leaf
- 1/2 cup chicken broth or vegetable broth
- 2 tablespoons dry white wine
- 1/4 cup bread crumbs
- Milk for soaking
- 1 partridge or 2 quail boned and finely chopped
- 2 slices mild cheese finely chopped
- 1 large egg
- 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
- Kosher or sea salt to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper to taste
- 1 garlic clove finely chopped
- All-purpose flour for coating
Instructions
- In a medium skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat.
- Add the chopped onion, green bell pepper, 2 chopped garlic cloves, and the bay leaf.
- Cook and stir until the onion becomes soft, which takes about 5 minutes.
- Stir in the broth and wine, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 1 hour.
- Remove the bay leaf.
- While the sauce is simmering, soak the bread crumbs in milk until they soften, then squeeze them dry.
- In a medium bowl, combine the finely chopped partridge (or quail), cheese, egg, parsley, soaked bread crumbs, salt, pepper, and 1 chopped garlic clove.
- Shape the mixture into 1-inch meatballs.
- Place the flour in a small, shallow bowl, and coat each meatball with flour.
- In a shallow earthenware casserole dish or Dutch oven large enough for all the meatballs to fit in one layer, heat the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat.
- Add the meatballs and cook, turning them occasionally, until they are browned on all sides and cooked through.
- Spoon the sauce over the meatballs.
Notes & Wine Advice
If you’re using an earthenware dish, serve the hot partridge meatballs directly from it, or transfer them to a serving platter.
These partridge meatballs offer a unique and flavorful twist on traditional meatballs. The savory sauce complements the dish beautifully. Enjoy this dish with friends and family!