Something very simple today, and since today is Thursday I went for meatballs. I’m sure everyone knows meatballs, in any form, stuffed, baked and with variety of sides. This is one of those things my parents would make for dinner during the week, mostly on Thursdays, due to its simplicity and the fact that it’s relative fast in preparing. Accompanied by a variety of sides, this is one of the meals I’m always looking forward to when visiting my parents.

Though I don’t do it exactly like them, meatballs have also became one of my mid week dinner ideas. This time with broccoli and potato mash with caramelized carrots.

Serves 4

Preparation time: 10min                                                Cooking time: 20min

FOR THE MEATBALLS:

500g minced meat

1 tbsp mustard

2 tbsp bread crumbs

1 egg

2 cloves of garlic

1 small onion, finely chopped

salt and pepper

herbs of your choice-we used marjoram and thyme

FOR THE MASH:

1 small broccoli (ca 500g )

few potatoes

3-4 tbsp milk

ca 20g butter

salt and pepper

FOR THE CARAMELIZED CARROTS:

2-3 carrots or ca 400 g

1 small onion

1 tbsp oil

100g butter

1 tsp brown sugar

salt and pepper

Peel the potatoes, quarter them and cook until soft. Wash the broccoli, bring to the boil and cook for 5 minutes until soft. Drain the potatoes and the broccoli, put them in one bigger pot and mash together. Add the butter and the milk, season with salt and nutmeg and mix until combined.

In a bowl combine the minced meat with mustard, bread crumbs and an egg. Slice the garlic and add with the onion and spices to the meat. Combine everything and form patties. Fry in a pan until done.

Peel the carrots and slice or cut in little sticks. Finely chop the onion and sear in a pan until soft and golden brown. Season with a pinch of salt, then add the carrots. Sear it for few minutes, then pour water, but only so much so it covers the carrots to the half. Add the butter and the sugar. Stir and let it cook for few minutes, until the carrots become soft and the water evaporates. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Arrange everything on a plate and serve.