Sauerbraten Apple Meatballs

Total Time: 1 hr Preparation Time: 30 mins Cook Time: 30 mins

Ingredients

• Servings: 6
• 1 1/2 lbs lean ground beef
• 3 large golden delicious apples
• 1/4 cup breadcrumbs
• 1/4 cup crushed gingersnap cookie
• 1/4 cup finely chopped onion
• 1 large egg, beaten
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon thyme
• 1 cup beef broth
• 1/2 cup apple juice
• 1/2 cup water
• 1/2 cup crushed gingersnap cookie
• 6 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar (packed)
• 2 bay leaves

Recipe

• 1 peel and core apples.
• 2 grate enough apple to make 1 cup.
• 3 slice the remaining apple into wedges (if desired put the wedges in water with a bit of lemon juice while cooking meatballs if you're worried about them turning brown.) mix 1 c grated apple, ground beef, 1/4 c crushed gingersnaps, bread crumbs, onion, egg, salt, pepper and thyme until well blended.
• 4 form into 1" to 1 1/2" balls.
• 5 spray a nonstick frying pan (the type with a lid) with cooking spray and cook meatballs over a medium heat until brown on all sizes and cooked through.
• 6 this can be done in batches if required.
• 7 remove the meatballs from the pan (i usually put them on a plate with several layers of paper towel to remove any excessive fat).
• 8 add the beef broth, apple juice, water, 1/2 c crushed gingersnaps, apple cider, and brown sugar to pan.
• 9 mix well and bring to a boil.
• 10 add the bay leaves, apple wedges and meatballs to the pan.
• 11 stir to coat.
• 12 reduce heat to minimum, cover the pan and simmer 15-20 minutes (stirring occasionally) until the apple is tender and the sauce has thickened.
• 13 remove bay leaves before serving.