Merry Christmas! I love the Christmas season, especially when I am organised, have all my shopping done early and menu sorted. This year, none of that happened, the last few months have been a bit hectic (including moving house) and I still haven’t finished shopping or worked out what we are eating Christmas day. This alone is stressing me as I contemplate joining the crowds of last minute midnight shoppers to gather last minute gifts.
I was keen to create at least one new Christmas recipe that is failsafe this year. When I saw a pic of these cute little meatballs with stars, I knew it was a dish that would appeal to everyone in my family and be easy to make suitable for the failsafe diet. They were a hit and have been requested to be on the menu Christmas day. They disappeared in the blink of an eye, so I think I might need to make a double quantity so the adults can manage to consume some too.
These meatballs are easy to make and great for a party where you need to bring a plate or wanting finger food on Christmas day. If having a themed party, use a different shaped pasty cutter to suit.
Makes approx. 25 meatballs
2 garlic cloves
2 shallots
½ teasp salt
1 teasp dried chives
500g Lamb, beef or chicken mince
1 sheet puff pastry
1 egg
Pear & choko jam
Place garlic and shallots into the Thermomix bowl. Chop on speed 6 for 3 seconds.
Add salt, chives and mince. Mix for 10 seconds on reverse speed 3 or until combined. Form into bite sized balls and place on a try lined with baking paper. Set aside in the fridge.
Allow puff pastry to defrost. Whisk the egg with a fork. Lightly brush egg over defrosted pastry sheet. Cut small star shapes with a pastry cutter. Place one on top of each meatball and secure with a tooth pick through the middle into the meatball. Repeat with the remaining meatballs.
Bake in a moderate oven 180 deg, for approx. 20 minutes until pastry is lightly golden and meatballs are cooked through.
Place some pear jam with a dash of water into a small dipping bowl. Heat in the microwave for 20 seconds or until smooth and runny when stirred.
Serve meatballs with the dipping sauce.
Tips: If you are looking for a GF pastry, check out the Failsafe GF shopping list here.
For a different sauce, try this Asian inspired failsafe one.
Have a wonderful Christmas and a blessed New Year!
Oh wow, these look so festive. My mum put me onto a dipping sauce for meatballs that was apricot jam with green tea to dilute – this will be a lovely variation and so adorable with the puff pastry stars…I’m sure I’ll get some smiles for these ones – especially when I serve these for the people who don’t eat seafood for the entree.