Minced Meat Patties with Creamy Mushroom Sauce and Fresh Salad

Ingredients

For the Minced Meat Patties:

• 600 g minced meat (beef or lamb, or a mixture)
• 1 egg
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• Salt and black pepper, to taste
• 1 teaspoon sweet paprika
• 1 teaspoon Italian herb blend
• 2 onions, finely chopped
• 1 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped (optional, for added flavor)
• 800 g potatoes, peeled and boiled until tender
• 2 tablespoons butter
• Vegetable oil, for frying

For the Mushroom Sauce:

• 150 g mushrooms, sliced
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 tablespoon flour
• 200 g sour cream
• Salt and black pepper, to taste
• 1 teaspoon Italian herb blend
• 1 teaspoon sugar, to balance acidity

For the Fresh Salad:

• Mixed salad greens (lettuce, spinach, arugula, or any variety)
• 1 cucumber, thinly sliced
• 2 tomatoes, diced
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1/2 onion, thinly sliced
• 1 teaspoon French mustard
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Prep Time, Cooking Time, and Total Time

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cooking Time: 40 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour
• Servings: 4 servings
• Kcal per serving: Approximately 600-700 kcal (depends on portion sizes and specific ingredients used)

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Prepare the Potatoes:

• Begin by boiling the potatoes in salted water until they are fork-tender, which should take about 15-20 minutes. Once cooked, drain the potatoes and set them aside to cool slightly.
• Once the potatoes are cool enough to handle, mash them with a fork or potato masher, adding a tablespoon of butter and seasoning with salt and pepper to taste. Set the mashed potatoes aside.

2. Prepare the Minced Meat Patties:

• In a large mixing bowl, combine the minced meat, egg, minced garlic, finely chopped onions, and dill (if using). Season the mixture with salt, pepper, sweet paprika, and Italian herb blend. Mix everything well until combined, ensuring the seasonings are evenly distributed.
• Take small portions of the meat mixture and shape them into round patties, about 2-3 cm thick. You can make them larger or smaller depending on your preference.
• Heat a pan with a bit of vegetable oil over medium heat. Fry the patties in batches, turning occasionally, until they are golden brown and cooked through. This should take about 3-4 minutes per side, depending on the size of the patties. Once cooked, remove them from the pan and set aside on a plate lined with paper towels to absorb any excess oil.

3. Prepare the Mushroom Sauce:

• In the same pan, melt the butter over medium heat and sauté the sliced mushrooms until they release their moisture and become tender, about 5 minutes.
• Sprinkle the flour over the mushrooms and stir to combine. This will help thicken the sauce. Let the flour cook for another minute, stirring constantly to prevent it from burning.
• Gradually add the sour cream while stirring to create a smooth sauce. Season with salt, pepper, and Italian herb blend. Add the teaspoon of sugar to balance the acidity of the sour cream and enhance the flavors.
• Let the sauce simmer for about 5 minutes, allowing it to thicken and coat the mushrooms. Adjust the seasoning as needed.

4. Prepare the Salad:

• While the patties are cooking and the sauce is simmering, prepare the salad by tossing the mixed salad greens in a large bowl.
• Add the thinly sliced cucumber, diced tomatoes, paprika, and sliced onion to the salad.
• In a small bowl, whisk together the French mustard, olive oil, salt, and pepper to create a simple vinaigrette. Drizzle the dressing over the salad and toss everything together to coat evenly.

5. Serve the Dish:

• Once the patties, sauce, and salad are ready, it’s time to assemble your meal. Place a generous portion of mashed potatoes on each plate, followed by the crispy meat patties.
• Spoon the creamy mushroom sauce over the patties, allowing the richness to soak into the meat and potatoes.
• Serve with a side of fresh salad for a complete and balanced meal.

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