Tapas are in Spain simply bar food, but outside of Spain have become very famous. In Spain every bar (with the word “bar” meaning a neighborhood hangout that is open all day and night and where you can also buy newspapers or lottery tickets) has a display on the counter that proudly displays the, often homemade, tapas. Tapas are usually straightforward and delicious. One of the most well-known tapas are albóndigas (pronounced with the stress on the ó): meatballs in tomato sauce. In my version I’ve added a bit of Spanish smoked paprika to the sauce for a nice smoky kick, and a bit of beef stock for added beefiness. Albóndigas are simple to make and well worth the effort. I served them at my 40th birthday party and they were devoured very quickly.
Ingredients
For the meatballs
500 grams (1.1 lbs) ground beef
1 Tbsp minced fresh flat leaf parsley
1 clove garlic, minced
1 egg, beaten
4 Tbsp dry breadcrumbs
3 Tbsp wine (red or white)
flour for dusting
oil for frying
1/2 tsp salt
For the sauce
1 onion, chopped
1 can (400 grams/14 oz) of peeled tomatoes
60 ml (1/4 cup) beef stock
2 Tbsp olive oil
pinch of saffron
1/2 tsp paprika
1 tsp tomato paste
salt and freshly ground black pepper
Preparation
Combine the meat with the garlic, parsley and salt in a bowl. Add the wine…
…the breadcrumbs…
…and the egg.
Mix with your hands until the mixture is homogeneous.
Make balls using your hands, a bit smaller than ping pong balls.
Dust them with flour.
Take a gratuitous floured meatball shot.
Heat the olive oil in a casserole and add the onions. Sauté the onions over medium heat until soft and golden, about 10 minutes, stirring now and then.
Transfer the cooked onions to the bowl of the food processor and add the tomatoes, smoked paprika, and tomato paste.
Process until smooth.
Pour the tomato mixture back into the casserole.
Pound a pinch of saffron threads with the beef stock in a mortar and pestle…
…and add it to the tomato sauce.
Bring to a boil, lower the heat, and allow to cook, uncovered, for 15 minutes or until the sauce has become somewhat thicker.
Meanwhile, heat plenty of oil in a non-stick frying pan and brown the meatballs in batches over high heat.
Make sure to turn them often, so they brown evenly on all sides without burning.
Remove the meatballs from the frying pan with a slotted spoon…
…and allow them to drain on paper towels.
Taste the tomato sauce and adjust the seasoning with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
Add the browned meatballs to the tomato sauce…
…and stir to mix.
Cover and allow to simmer over low heat for 15 to 20 minutes.
The meatballs are now ready to be served. They can be reheated if needed in the microwave or by gentle heat on the stove with plenty of stirring.
Stefan's Gourmet Blog 
These are prettier than anything I saw in Spain! At least they weren’t still moving! Delicious.
LikeLike
Thanks, Mimi!
LikeLike
This meal looks wonderful. Thanks for sharing your recipe.
LikeLike
Thanks for stopping by and taking the time to leave such a nice comment.
LikeLike
Tapas ‘crawling’ is a dining experience up there with long, leisurely dim sum mornings 🙂
LikeLike
Did that in Salamanca 10 years ago and loved it. Planning to crawl on ‘pinxtos’ (Basque tapas) in San Sebastian this September 🙂
LikeLike
We’ll all expect a FULL report of course!
LikeLike
You can count on it 🙂
LikeLike
I grew up eating albondigas!! love it!
LikeLike
Great! Do you prepare them the same way?
LikeLike
My mom never served them in the tomato sauce. She would simmer them and serve them in soup. This recipe sounds amazing though and can’t wait to try it.
LikeLike
Love this kind of tapas, when I go to Spain if I found them ,I always eat it!
LikeLike
Stefan – I love tapas. And reading the paper. Lottery tickets, not so much. I noticed this recipe has smoked paprika, wine and saffron. That’s it, I’m sold! I especially like that they are served with a rich, deep tomato sauce. I will try these as an appetizer – or even as part of a main course, served over a pasta or grain of some sort. Albóndigas… with the accent on the O. 😉 MMMMMMMMMMM. Your photos are seriously awesome in this post, by the way. Fantastic foodie fotos! Best, Shanna
LikeLike
Thanks, Shanna. I’m still getting to know the new camera. I think nice crusty bread and a simple green salad could also turn these albóndigas into a meal.
LikeLike
I agree – that is a great idea. Salad and bread are my favorite dinner, with a simple protein and a bit of cheese. 🙂
LikeLike
Late to the party, Stefan, but I hope there’s still a few of these left for me. They sound delicious. Your serving them with bread and a salad, as you suggested to Shanna, would make a great meal.
LikeLike