German meat dumplings, commonly known as “Fleischklöße” or “Fleischbällchen,” are delicious and can be made using various recipes. Below is a simple recipe to guide you through the process of making these savory dumplings.
Ingredients:
For the Dumplings:
500g ground meat (beef, pork, or a mixture)
1 small onion, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced (optional)
2 slices of bread or 100g breadcrumbs
1 large egg
Fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
Salt and pepper to taste
1 teaspoon paprika powder (optional)
Nutmeg (a pinch, optional)
For Cooking:
Water or broth for boiling
Salt to taste
Instructions:
1. Soak the Bread:
If using bread slices, soak them in water or milk until soft. If using breadcrumbs, you can skip this step or lightly moisten them.
2. Mix Ingredients:
In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground meat, finely chopped onion, minced garlic (if using), soaked bread (or breadcrumbs), egg, parsley, salt, pepper, paprika, and nutmeg.
Mix everything thoroughly until well combined. You can use your hands for the best results.
3. Form the Dumplings:
With wet hands, shape the mixture into small balls or patties, about the size of a golf ball or slightly smaller (around 45 cm in diameter).
4. Prepare the Cooking Liquid:
In a large pot, bring water or broth to a gentle boil. Add salt to the liquid for flavor.
5. Cook the Dumplings:
Carefully place the dumplings into the boiling liquid. Lower the heat to a gentle simmer and cook the dumplings for about 1520 minutes, or until they float to the top and are cooked through. Avoid boiling the liquid too hard to prevent the dumplings from falling apart.
6. Serve:
Use a slotted spoon to gently remove the dumplings from the pot. Serve them hot with your choice of sauce (gravy is a popular option), and accompany with sides like sauerkraut, potatoes, or vegetables.
Tips:
You can also incorporate different seasonings depending on your taste preferences.
If you want to add flavor to the broth, consider adding bay leaves, peppercorns, or herbs while boiling the dumplings.
These dumplings can also be fried after boiling for a crispy texture.
Enjoy your delicious German meat dumplings!