Charmies Albondigas Recipes

AUTHENTIC MEXICAN MEATBALLS (ALBONDIGAS MEXICANAS)

Steps:

• Start by adding the 1/2 cup of white rice to a pan with 1/2 cup of water and let boil for 10 minutes to partially cook the rice. Let cool and set aside.
• Add all of the meatball ingredients, including the rice, in a large bowl and mix well.
• Once combined, form balls that are approximately 1 inch in diameter, and place on a baking sheet.
• Bake at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for about 15 minutes or until sufficiently browned on the outside.
• Separately, blend the ingredients for the salsa in a blender, and then saute the salsa with 1 tsp of olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the potatoes and let boil for approximately 5 minutes.
• Add the celery and the cooked meatballs.
• Add additional salt and pepper to taste and let simmer for approximately 20 minutes longer until the meatballs and potatoes are completely cooked through.
• Accompany with rice, beans, and tortillas.

ALBONDIGAS

Steps:

• In a Dutch oven, cook onion, garlic and ½ cup tomato sauce with olive oil until onion is tender. Add broth and ½ cup tomato sauce; bring to a simmer., Meanwhile, in a large bowl, mix ground beef, rice, egg, salt, pepper, milk, cumin, saffron, crushed crackers and remaining ½ cup tomato sauce until combined. With wet hands, form into 1-in. balls. Gently add meatballs to simmering broth; cook, stirring occasionally, 20-25 minutes. If desired, serve with tostadas and cabbage and garnish with cilantro.

ALBONDIGAS

Steps:

• In a large stock pot, bring water, carrots, potatoes, onion, salsa, and bouillon cubes to a boil. Reduce to a medium simmer, stirring occasionally, approximately 10 minutes.
• Mix the beef, breadcrumbs, and milk together in a bowl. Form into 1-inch meatballs, and drop into boiling broth. Once soup returns to a boil, reduce heat to medium-low.
• Cover and cook 20 minutes, or until meatballs are no longer pink in center and vegetables are tender. Serve with sprinkled cilantro for garnish.

DRIED CHERRY AND ALMOND COOKIES WITH VANILLA ICING

Steps:

• For the Cookies:
• In a large bowl, with an electric mixer, beat the butter, sugar, vanilla extract, almond extract, cinnamon, and salt until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes, then beat in the egg. Add the flour and beat on the lowest speed until just blended. Using a wooden spoon, stir in the dried cherries and almonds.
• Transfer the dough to a sheet of plastic wrap and shape it into a log, about 12-inches long and 1 1/2-inches in diameter. Wrap the dough in the plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours. (Dough can be made up to 3 days in advance).
• Arrange an oven rack in the center of the oven. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line 2 heavy baking sheets with parchment paper.
• Cut the log crosswise into 1/2-inch thick slices. Transfer the dough slices to the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 1-inch apart. Bake until the cookies are golden around the edges and puffed, about 15 minutes. Transfer the cookies to a wire rack to cool completely before icing, about 30 minutes.
• For the Icing:
• Put the powdered sugar in a medium bowl. Gradually whisk in the vanilla extract and water, adding more water, 1 teaspoon at a time, until the mixture becomes a drizzling consistency. (Makes about 2/3 cups icing, enough to ice both variations.)
• Put the cooled cookies on a wire rack set over a baking sheet. Using a spoon or a fork, drizzle the cookies with the icing, allowing any excess icing to drip onto the baking sheet. Allow the icing to set before serving, about 1 hour.
• Cook's Note: To toast the almonds, arrange them in a single layer on a baking sheet. Bake in a preheated 350 degree F oven for 6 to 8 minutes until lightly toasted. Cool completely before using.
• Cook's Note Alternative:
• Replace the dried cherries with 1/2 cup coarsely chopped dried apricots and add 2 tablespoons of toasted pine nuts. Also, use 1 teaspoon vanilla extract and omit the almond extract.

ALBONDIGAS SOUP (MEXICAN MEATBALL SOUP)

Steps:

• Make the soup base: Heat oil in large heavy-bottomed pot (5-qt) over medium heat. Add onion and cook until tender, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook a minute more. Add stock, water, and tomato sauce. Bring to boil and reduce heat to simmer. Add carrots and string beans.

CHARMIE'S ALBONDIGAS

Steps:

• In a large pot combine broth, tomatoes, tomato sauce and water.
• Add vegetables.
• Bring to a boil.
• Meanwhile, combine remaining ingredients in large bowl.
• Mix thoroughly.
• Form into small meatballs.
• Add carefully to soup.
• Cook for 15-30 minutes until meatballs are cooked through.

SOFT SUGAR COOKIES WITH WHITE CHOCOLATE, ALMONDS, AND CRANBERRIES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Beat sugar, shortening, and butter together in a large bowl with an electric mixture until smooth. Beat eggs, vanilla extract, and almond extract into butter mixture.
• Whisk flour, baking powder, and salt together in a bowl. Gradually add flour mixture to butter mixture until dough just comes together. Stir almonds, white chocolate chips, and dried cranberries into the dough.
• Drop rounded tablespoons of dough about 2 inches apart on baking sheets. Bake cookies until bottom edges are light golden brown, 10 to 12 minutes. Cool cookies for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

CHERRY-ALMOND BROWNIES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a microwave-safe 8-inch square baking dish, combine chocolates and butter. Microwave on high in 30-second increments, stirring each time, until melted, about 2 minutes. Whisk mixture to combine. Let cool slightly.
• Add sugar, eggs, and coffee and whisk gently to combine. Add flour, salt, and almonds and stir to combine. Gently stir in cherries.
• Cook just until set and a toothpick inserted in center comes out with a few moist crumbs, 40 to 45 minutes. Let cool completely in dish on a wire rack and refrigerate 2 hours before cutting into 10 rectangles.