Kangaroo Meatballs with Saltbush & Native Pepper Berry
Makes 4 serves
Ingredients
- 800g kangaroo mince
- 2 garlic cloves, crushed
- 2 teaspoons each of dried saltbush & native pepper berry
- 2 tablespoons of plain flour
- 2-3 tablespoons of olive oil
- 1 cup / 250ml of red wine
- 1 cup / 250ml of beef stock
- 1 cup / 250ml tomato passata
- Sprig of rosemary
- Salt flakes & cracked black pepper, to taste
- Grated parmesan & polenta, to serve
Method
Combine the kangaroo mince with the garlic, herbs, salt and pepper. Scrunch together with wet hands until well combined. Roll into walnut size meatballs and dust with flour.
Heat a large frying pan over high heat. Add some oil and fry quickly in batches for 2-3 minutes, until meatballs are sealed and well-browned on all sizes. Be careful not to overcook the kangaroo. Remove and rest on a plate while you fry the remaining meatballs.
Turn down the heat and add the wine to deglaze the pan. Once reduced by about one quarter, add the beef stock, passata and rosemary. Simmer for 5-10 minutes. Return the meatballs to the pan and gently spoon over the sauce until slightly thickened. Turn off the heat and season to taste.
Serve with creamy polenta, grated parmesan, and a side salad of your choice.
Recipe Notes:
Saltbush
Derived from a grey-blue bush, the silvery-green leaves of the saltbush can be added fresh to salad and meat marinades. Alternatively, the leaves can be dried and used as seasonings or as a direct substitute for salt.
Native Pepper Berry
Native pepper berry (also known as Mountain Pepper) occurs naturally in the cooler rainforest areas of Tasmania, Victoria, and New South Wales. Both the leaves and the berries of this plant are cultivated for cooking uses, with the dried berries able to be used like peppercorns, to add a mild spice to meats.