Polpete


Polpete
The polpete are the delicious meatballs of the Italian cuisine, softer than the classic meatballs because they contain breadcrumbs moistened with milk.
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Last modified on: April 8th 2023

Keywords for this recipe:
For 25 pieces, you will need:

Change these quantities to make: 25 pieces 50 pieces 75 pieces
How long does it take?
Time required for this recipe:
PreparationRestingCookingStart to finish
30 min.1 hour21 min.1 hour 51 min.
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Step by step recipe


Stage 1 - 5 min.
Polpete : Photo of step #1

Making the meat balls

Remove the crust from 3 slices bread (use it in another recipe), put the crumb only in a bowl and sprinkle it with 1 glass milk.

Let it soak in.

Stage 2 - 5 min.
Polpete : Photo of step #2
In the meantime, in a salad bowl, pour 300 g minced beef, ½ onion finely chopped and parsley also chopped.

Salt and pepper.

Stage 3 - 5 min.
Polpete : Photo of step #3
Add the milk-soaked bread, squeezed between your hands, grated 50 g Parmigiano reggiano (Parmesan) and 2 eggs.

Stage 4 - 3 min.
Polpete : Photo of step #4
Mix thoroughly.

You can do it with a mixer, or simply by hand...

Stage 5
Polpete : Photo of step #5
...until you get...

Stage 6 - 1 hour
Polpete : Photo of step #6
...a homogeneous mixture.

Let rest 1 hour in the refrigerator if possible.

Stage 7 - 10 min.
Polpete : Photo of step #7
Shape them into balls and place them on a baking sheet, possibly protected by a sheet of baking paper.

If you don't use them right away, you can freeze them at this stage: put the baking sheet in the freezer, and when the balls are frozen, transfer them to a closed plastic freezer bag.

Stage 8 - 5 min.
Polpete : Photo of step #8

Cooking

In a large frying pan over medium heat, pour in 4 tablespoons olive oil and when it is hot add the dumplings, just brown them on each "face".

Put on hold in a plate

Stage 9 - 1 min.
Polpete : Photo of step #9
In the same pan, add a little olive oil, then chopped 1 shallot, 2 bayleaves, 1 sprig thyme, 1 garlic clove, salt and pepper.

Cook for 1 minute, without browning.

Stage 10 - 10 min.
Polpete : Photo of step #10
Pour in 300 g peeled and chopped tomatoes, add more salt and pepper, and let thicken gently for about 10 minutes.

Stage 11 - 5 min.
Polpete : Photo of step #11
Add the previously set aside meatballs, sprinkle with tomatoes and let them warm up slowly.

Stage 12 - 2 min.
Polpete : Photo of step #12
Just before serving, remove and discard thyme, garlic clove and bay leaves.

Check seasoning.

Stage 13
Polpete : Photo of step #13
Serve the polpete with the side dish of your choice, in this case white rice, and a generous helping of tomato puree.
Remarks
In principle, popete is beef, but you can also put several meats together: beef + pork for example, or beef + veal.

Pecorino instead, or with it, Parmesan is also a very good option.
Keeping
1 or 2 days in the refrigerator, protected by a stretch film.
Source
Home made.
Nutritional information
Whole recipe
Energetic valueProteins CarbohydratesFats
1,842 Kcal or 7,712 Kj105 gr127 gr150 gr
92 %40 %12 %23 %
Per 100 g
Energetic valueProteins CarbohydratesFats
159 Kcal or 666 Kj9 gr11 gr13 gr
8 %3 %1 %2 %
Per piece
Energetic valueProteins CarbohydratesFats
74 Kcal or 310 Kj4 gr5 gr6 gr
4 %2 %<1 %1 %
% are calculated relative to a Recommended Dietary Intake or RDI of 2000 k-calories or 8400 k-joules by day for a woman (change to a man).
Possible allergens in this recipe: Gluten, Milk, Egg
How much will it cost?
  • For 25 pieces : 7.17 €
  • Per piece : 0.29 €

Change currency:

Note: Be careful, these prices are only an estimate, you can consult the table of prices by ingredients used for this estimate.
This recipe uses (among others)
Minced beefMinced beef: You can check-out other recipes which use it, like for example: Italian style gratin, Express chilli con carne, Gratin Parmentier, Moussaka, Enchiladas, ... All
Peeled and chopped tomatoesPeeled and chopped tomatoes: You can check-out other recipes which use it, like for example: Veal Marengo, Sunday night pasta, Sausages with baked beans, French style, Spinach and chick peas "à la milanaise", Rice à l'italienne, ... All
Parmigiano reggiano (Parmesan)Parmigiano reggiano (Parmesan): You can check-out other recipes which use it, like for example: Vegetable tian, Green asparagus omelette, Spaghetti with mussels and basil, Leek and artichoke tart à la piémontaise, Raw beetroot salad, ... All
Olive oilOlive oil: You can get more informations, or check-out other recipes which use it, for example: Potatoes with bacon and herbs, Spaghetti with smoked salmon, Madras rice, Pan-fried scallops and chanterelles with Noilly Prat sauce, Sautéed pork with mushrooms in a cream sauce., ... All
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