International > Caribbean > Stew

Caribbean-Style Stewed Meatballs Recipe

Ingredients with Measurements:
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1 egg
- 1/4 cup chopped onion
- 1/4 cup chopped green bell pepper
- 1/4 cup chopped red bell pepper
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes, undrained
- 1 can (8 ounces) tomato sauce
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro

Special equipment needed:
- Large skillet with lid

Step-by-step instructions:
1. In a large bowl, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, milk, egg, onion, green bell pepper, red bell pepper, garlic, thyme, allspice, cayenne pepper, black pepper, and salt. Mix well.
2. Shape mixture into 1-inch meatballs.
3. Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add meatballs and cook until browned on all sides, about 5 minutes.
4. Add diced tomatoes and tomato sauce to the skillet. Bring to a simmer.
5. Reduce heat to low, cover the skillet, and simmer for 20 minutes or until meatballs are cooked through.
6. Stir in chopped cilantro.


- Time:
Preparation time: 15 minutes
- Cooking time: 25 minutes
Temperature:
- Medium-high heat for browning meatballs
- Low heat for simmering meatballs
Serving size:
- 4 servings

Nutritional information:
- Calories: 350
- Fat: 20g
- Carbohydrates: 19g
- Protein: 23g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fiber: 3g
- Sugar: 7g

Substitutions for ingredients:
- Ground beef can be substituted with ground pork or ground turkey.
- Breadcrumbs can be substituted with crushed crackers or panko breadcrumbs.
- Milk can be substituted with almond milk or soy milk.
- Diced tomatoes can be substituted with crushed tomatoes or tomato puree.
- Cilantro can be substituted with parsley or basil.

Variations:
- Add 1/4 cup of chopped pineapple for a sweeter taste.
- Use ground chicken instead of beef for a lighter version.
- Add 1/4 cup of coconut milk for a creamier texture.

Tips and tricks:
- Make sure to brown the meatballs on all sides before simmering to ensure they are cooked through.
- If the sauce is too thick, add a little bit of water to thin it out.
- Serve over rice or with a side of plantains for an authentic Caribbean meal.

Storage instructions:
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Reheating instructions:
- Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop until heated through.

Presentation ideas:
- Serve in a bowl with a sprinkle of chopped cilantro on top.

Garnishes:
- Chopped cilantro or parsley

Pairings:
- Rice
- Plantains
- Caribbean-style coleslaw

Suggested side dishes:
- Fried plantains
- Caribbean-style rice and beans
- Grilled vegetables

Troubleshooting advice:
- If the meatballs are falling apart, add more breadcrumbs to the mixture.

Food safety advice:
- Make sure the meatballs are cooked to an internal temperature of 165°F to ensure they are safe to eat.

Food history:
- Caribbean-style stewed meatballs are a popular dish in many Caribbean countries, including Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago.

Flavor profiles:
- Spicy, savory, and slightly sweet

Serving suggestions:
- Serve hot with a side of rice or plantains.

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Taste: Savory, Spicy, Tangy, Herbal, Aromatic, Earthy