CHIPOTLE MEATBALLS

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  • 8

Ingredients

  • 8 SERVINGS
  • These meatballs are often served in a soup or a sauce, but this skewered version needs only a squeeze of refreshing lime juice
  • 1/3 cup whole milk
  • 1/3 cup fine dry bread crumbs
  • 6 bacon slices, chopped
  • 1/2 cup finely chopped onion
  • 1 tablespoon chopped garlic
  • 1 tablespoon finely chopped seeded canned chipotles in adobo
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 3/4 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 2 tablespoons water
  • 3/4 lb ground pork
  • 1/2 lb ground veal
  • 1 large egg, lightly beaten
  • 1/4 cup chopped flat-leaf parsley
  • EQUIPMENT: about 16 (6-inch) wooden skewers, soaked in water 30 minutes
  • GARNISH: lime wedges

Preparation

Step 1

Stir together milk and bread crumbs in a large bowl.

Cook bacon in a 10-inch heavy skillet over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until crisp. Transfer with a slotted spoon to paper towels to drain.

Pour off all but 1 Tbsp fat from skillet, then cook onion, garlic, chipotles, cumin, and oregano in skillet, stirring, until onion is softened, about 3 minutes.

Add water and cook, stirring and scraping up brown bits, until water has evaporated, about 1 minute. Stir into bread crumb mixture, then add ground meats, egg, parsley, bacon, and 1 tsp salt and mix well with your hands.

Preheat broiler.

Form scant tablespoons of meat mixture into balls and thread 3 balls 1/2 inch apart onto each skewer, arranging skewers on a lightly oiled broiler pan.

Broil 3 to 4 inches from heat (do not turn) until browned and cooked through, 8 to 10 minutes.

COOKS NOTE: Meatballs can be formed and skewered, but not cooked, 1 day ahead and chilled.