Meatball Stroganoff

Meatball Stroganoff

1 pound ground chuck

1 medium onion, finely chopped

2 garlic cloves, minced

1 teaspoon kosher salt

1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1/2 cup fresh bread crumbs

2 large egg yolks

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

1/2 pound cultivated white mushrooms, thinly sliced

1/2 cup dry sherry

2 cups chicken stock, preferably homemade

2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened

2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill

1/2 cup sour cream

Additional kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Combine the chuck, half the chopped onion, the garlic, salt, pepper, bread crumbs, egg yolks and 1/2 cup of water in a large bowl. Mix well and form meatballs about 1 inch in diameter.

Heat the oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add meatballs and cook, shaking and turning, until well browned, about 5 minutes. Don’t crowd the pan; work in batches if necessary. Transfer to paper towels to drain.

Pour off any excess fat from the skillet, leaving 3 tablespoons in the pan, and add the remaining onion. Cook, stirring often, until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the mushrooms and cook, stirring, until the liquid they give off has evaporated, 7 to 10 minutes. Pour in the sherry, increase the heat to high, and boil until almost all the liquid they give off has evaporated. Pour in the stock and bring to a boil.

Rub the butter with the flour in a small bowl until it forms a smooth paste. Pinch off pea-size pieces and add little by little to the boiling sauce, whisking constantly for 3 minutes. Add the meatballs, stir in the dill and sour cream, season with salt and pepper, and cook over low heat until the meatballs are just heated through. Serve hot.

Yield: 4 to 6 servings.