1.In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, egg, finely minced onion, and chopped fresh cilantro. Season generously with salt and pepper. Using your hands, mix the ingredients thoroughly until a cohesive mixture forms. Roll the mixture into uniform, bite-sized balls.
2.Heat your olive oil or ghee in a deep skillet or pan over medium-high heat. Add the meatballs in a single layer, leaving space between them. Sear for 2–3 minutes on each side until a beautiful golden-brown crust forms. Biochemistry note: This is the Maillard reaction at work, locking in the savory juices and creating complex flavor profiles. Remove the meatballs from the pan and set aside temporarily (they do not need to be fully cooked through yet).
3.Turn the heat down to medium. In the same skillet with the remaining juices, add the tomato paste. Stir-fry it for about 1 minute—this caramelizes the natural sugars in the tomato and deepens the flavor. Whisk in the sour cream until a smooth, thick paste forms, then gradually pour in the warm water or broth, whisking continuously until you achieve a smooth, simmering sauce. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper.
4.Gently return the meatballs and any accumulated juices back into the simmering sauce. Turn the heat down to low, cover the pan with a lid, and let everything simmer gently for 12–15 minutes. The fat from the sour cream will naturally emulsify with the tomato paste and meat juices, creating a velvety, rich texture.
5.Remove from heat. Right before serving, scatter the freshly chopped scallions generously over the top. The residual heat will soften the scallions slightly while preserving their crisp texture and vibrant, sulfur-rich enzymes.
* The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contribute to a daily diet. 2000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice. ** Amount is based on ingredients that specify value for this nutrient and 0 for those that don't.
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Beef Meatballs in a rich, savory sauce recipe nutrition value and analysis.
Daily values are based on a 2000 calorie a day diet.
Recommended daily intake of essential amino acids is provided for 180 lbs person.
Actual daily nutrient requirements might be different based on your age, gender, level of physical activity, medical history and other factors.
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Please consult with your doctor before making any changes to your diet.
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Nutritional value of a cooked product is provided for the given weight of cooked food.
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Data from USDA National Nutrient Database.
