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
- ¼ cup finely chopped onion
- ¼ cup finely chopped green bell pepper
- 2 garlic cloves finely chopped
- 1 bay leaf
- ½ cup chicken broth or vegetable broth
- 2 tablespoons dry white wine
- ¼ 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 / Tips / 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!