Description
Savor the flavors of tender pork meatballs paired with creamy sweet potato mash and a rich bourbon-maple sauce. This comforting dish balances savory, sweet, and smoky notes, making it perfect for a hearty family dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Meatballs
- 1 pound ground pork
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
- 1 medium onion, grated
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon dried sage
- 1 large egg
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Sweet Potato Mash
- 2 large sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed
- 1/4 cup butter
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- Salt, to taste
Bourbon-Maple Sauce
- 1/4 cup bourbon
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 1 cup chicken stock
- 2 tablespoons cold butter
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the Meatball Mixture: In a large bowl, combine ground pork, breadcrumbs, grated onion, minced garlic, smoked paprika, dried sage, egg, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper. Mix gently until just combined, then shape into 16 golf-ball-sized meatballs.
- Brown the Meatballs: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the meatballs and cook, turning occasionally, until browned evenly on all sides, about 6 minutes. Transfer meatballs to a plate and set aside.
- Cook Sweet Potatoes: While the meatballs brown, place peeled and cubed sweet potatoes in a pot, cover with salted water, and bring to a boil. Simmer for 12-15 minutes until fork-tender. Drain and set aside.
- Make the Bourbon-Maple Sauce and Finish Cooking Meatballs: Return skillet to medium heat and deglaze with bourbon, scraping up browned bits. Add maple syrup, Dijon mustard, and chicken stock; bring to a simmer. Return meatballs to skillet. Cover and cook for 8-10 minutes until meatballs reach an internal temperature of 160°F.
- Mash Sweet Potatoes: In a bowl, mash cooked sweet potatoes with butter, heavy cream, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt until smooth and creamy. Keep warm.
- Finish the Sauce: Remove meatballs from skillet and place on a plate. Off the heat, whisk cold butter into the bourbon-maple sauce until velvety and glossy. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Notes
- Use fresh breadcrumbs for better texture, or substitute with panko for extra crispiness.
- Ensure meatballs reach an internal temperature of 160°F for safe consumption.
- Adjust cinnamon and nutmeg quantities in the mash to taste; these spices complement the sweetness of the potatoes.
- Bourbon can be substituted with apple cider or additional chicken stock for a non-alcoholic version.
- Keep the sweet potato mash warm by covering it while finishing the sauce to serve everything hot together.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: pork meatballs, sweet potato mash, bourbon maple sauce, comfort food, easy dinner, stovetop recipe
