Recipe: Albondigas or Mexican Meatballs

The Accidental Locavore has been making albondigas (Mexican meatballs)  for years.

While I used to keep trying different versions, this one, adapted from Rick Bayliss‘ “Mexican Everyday” is my favorite.

When my husband is in a bad mood, a plate of these cheer him right up! Bonus, they’re quick and easy. Serves 2 greedy people with some leftovers.

Albondigas al Chipotle

• 3 slices bacon, cut into 1″ pieces
• 3 garlic cloves (divided use)
• 2 large eggs
• 1/2 cup dried bread crumbs, or 3/4 cup panko
• Salt
• 1 1/4 pounds ground pork
• 1/2 cup fresh mint leaves, coarsely chopped
• 1 28 oz. can diced tomatoes in juice (fire-roasted are the best)
• 1-2 canned chipotle chiles in adobo, and 1-2 tablespoons of the canning sauce
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano, preferably Mexican
• Lime and avocado for garnish

Preheat the oven to 450°.
In a food processor combine the bacon and 1 of the garlic cloves. Process until finely chopped.
Add the eggs, bread crumbs, and 1 teaspoon salt. Pulse to combine thoroughly.
Add the pork and mint. Pulse until everything is just combined, but not over-processed.
Form the meat into 16 two-inch balls, and space them out on a 13×9″ baking dish.
Bake about 15 minutes until lightly browned.
While the meatballs are cooking: Combine the tomatoes, their juice, chipotles, and the canning sauce, oregano, the 2 remaining garlic cloves cut in half, and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a blender or food processor.
Process to a smooth puree. When the meatballs are lightly brown, pour the tomato puree over them, covering them evenly.
Bake until the sauce thickens about 15-20 minutes. Serve and enjoy!

My verdict:

I could make this once a week and my husband would be thrilled! I’ve made a lot of albondigas recipes, but this is the one I make over and over.
It’s also a forgiving recipe so don’t worry about messing it up if you tweak the ingredients.
What I’ve learned, is that it’s best to warm up the tomato sauce for a minute or two in the microwave, before pouring it over the meatballs. Because of the high heat, ceramic baking dishes have cracked and that prevents it.
Serve with wedges of lime and diced avocado to garnish. If you want them more soupy, you can add some chicken or beef broth to them with the tomato sauce.