Low Carb Rissoles, No Bread or Breadcrumbs

Since the low carb diet, I had to rethink many classic recipes and the low carb rissoles recipe was one of the first notable results. It's not super-fantastic, I just took the bread and the breadcrumbs out the original recipe and I played with other ingredients - not too much, but enough to get a successful result, tasting like my mom's food.

I'm going to tell you from the start that, as you can also see from the recipe below, I always make double amount of rissoles. I like to freeze 1-2 bags, so that I have them at hand when there is no time to cook something more sophisticated for dinner or lunch.

Ingredients
Pork meat
1 kg
can be combined with beef/veal
Pork fat
300 g
Onions
1 piece
Egg
2 pieces
Salt
1 tbsp
Ground black pepper
0.25 tsp
Butter
20 g
Olive oil
30 ml
Step by step
Step 1

I always prefer to know the exact percentage of fat from the minced meat - this is why I weigh the fat separately, then add it to the meat afterwards. I recommend doing so, because this is the secret for soft and tender meatballs. 

Here I used pork butt, fat and onion.

Low Carb Rissoles, No Bread or Breadcrumbs  - Step 1
Step 2

Cut into medium-sized pieces to fit in the meat grinder.

Low Carb Rissoles, No Bread or Breadcrumbs  - Step 2
Step 3

Grind the chunks of meat using the fine mincing plate.

In order to get perfect meatballs, a meat grinder is compulsory - the meat bought from the store already ground (of uncertain quality and with cartilage in it) won't be good enough for excellent meatballs. Mine is 12 years old and was worth the investment.

Low Carb Rissoles, No Bread or Breadcrumbs  - Step 3
Step 4

Then add the eggs, salt and ground black pepper to the meat.

Low Carb Rissoles, No Bread or Breadcrumbs  - Step 4
Step 5

Mix everything well by hand, until it becomes uniform, smooth and even a bit pasty.

Low Carb Rissoles, No Bread or Breadcrumbs  - Step 5
Step 6

Take a fistful of meat and pass it from one hand to the other. 

Tip! While forming the meatballs, it's really useful to dip your hands in water from time to time.

Low Carb Rissoles, No Bread or Breadcrumbs  - Step 6
Step 7

Now throw the meatball from one hand to the other, to make sure it's uniform - see the picture.

Low Carb Rissoles, No Bread or Breadcrumbs  - Step 7
Step 8

When it looks like this, compress it with your palms and give it a round or an elongated shape (just like my mom, I prefer the meatballs a bit elongated).

Low Carb Rissoles, No Bread or Breadcrumbs  - Step 8
Step 9

I recommend forming some meatballs and arranging them on a cutting board/plate sprinkled with a little water or greased with oil.

Low Carb Rissoles, No Bread or Breadcrumbs  - Step 9
Step 10

Heat up the frying pan with olive oil and a small piece of butter in it.

Low Carb Rissoles, No Bread or Breadcrumbs  - Step 10
Step 11

When butter melts, place meatballs in the pan and cook over medium heat until brown.

Low Carb Rissoles, No Bread or Breadcrumbs  - Step 11
Step 12

When brown on one side, flip meatballs with a spatula and cook on the other side as well.

Low Carb Rissoles, No Bread or Breadcrumbs  - Step 12
Step 13

As they are ready, arrange meatballs on a tray or a big plate - but not too crammed together. Notice how I placed them in rows, and not one over the other. 

Let cool completely, then they can be transfered to smaller spaces, like a food container or a bag.

Low Carb Rissoles, No Bread or Breadcrumbs  - Step 13
Step 14

I carefully gather with a spatula the left bits and I throw them away. 

In the same frying pan I place the next round of meatballs. I don't add any more oil in the pan, as they are fatty enough.

Low Carb Rissoles, No Bread or Breadcrumbs  - Step 14
Step 15

As I was saying before, I like to cook double amount of meatballs and, in order to be quicker, I use 2 large pans for frying. 

Meatballs can also be baked in the oven, but I think they won't be as tender and juicy. For example, my mom cooks them in the oven, on the pan lined with baking paper - but it's her oven which makes meatballs brown quickly and doesn't dry them off. Even though I have a fancy oven, I still couldn't find how to bake meatballs quickly and without drying them off.

Low Carb Rissoles, No Bread or Breadcrumbs  - Step 15
Step 16

And the meatballs which will go in the freezer. I really like to have a reliable stock in my freezer.

Low Carb Rissoles, No Bread or Breadcrumbs  - Step 16
Step 17

Now you can serve them with mustard, horseradish, a basic salad, pickles or any other side dish you prefer. They are super tasty, tender and juicy. 

Enjoy!

Low Carb Rissoles, No Bread or Breadcrumbs  - Step 17
Quantity: 25 pcs ()
Prep time:
60 min
Difficulty: intermediate
Ready in: 60 min