Oma's German Meatballs ~ Königsberger Klopse❤️

• The Prussian city of Königsberg (now Kaliningrad)are the namesake for these meatballs, also known as Soßklopse (sauced meatballs)
• They were renamed Kochklopse (boiled meatballs) after WW II and are still known as such
  
• The meatballs are usually made from minced veal, although beef or pork is often used
• The broth is usually thickened with a roux, cream, and egg yolk or just a roux or just egg yolk.
• Capers are an essential ingredient ... but can be omitted if desired
• Traditionally,  Königsberg Klopse are served with beetroots and boiled potatoes
  

1. Mutti's German Meatballs❤️
"Königsberger Klopse mit Sosse"

Ingredients:

• about 1 - 1½ lbs cooked, frozen meatballs (see below for meatballs from scratch)
• 2 cups water
• 1 tsp Vegeta Seasoning or ½ tsp salt
• freshly ground pepper
• 1 bay leaf
• 3 tbsp butter
• 2 tbsp flour
• 1 tsp prepared mustard
• 1 egg yolk
• 3 tbsp capers (optional)

• Put frozen meatballs into pot, add water, Vegeta, freshly ground pepper, and bay leaf.
• Bring to boil, lower heat, cover, and simmer for about 15 - 20 minutes. Meatballs should be hot inside.
• Drain meatballs, reserving liquid. Cover meatballs to keep hot.
• Melt butter in fry pan. Add flour and stir well. (Do not brown flour)
• Add reserved liquid, stirring well. Cook, stirring constantly, until thickened.
• Remove from heat. Add some of the sauce into the egg yolk (in a small bowl). Stir and return to sauce in fry pan. Simmer about 2 minutes, adding a bit of water if necessary if too thick.
• Add capers and mustard. Season with salt and pepper.
• Return meatballs to sauce, stir.
• Serve with boiled potatoes and salad.

• For a richer sauce, when adding reserved liquid to butter/flour mixture, only add 1 cup of liquid. Also add 1 cup of either 10% or 18% cream. If finished sauce is too thick, use remaining reserved liquid to thin rather than water.

2. My German Meatballs❤️
"Königsberger Klopse mit Sosse"

Ingredients for Meatballs:

• 1 lb lean ground beef
• 1 lb lean ground pork
• 2 eggs
• 1 small onion, finely diced
• ½ cup breadcrumbs or I Kaiser roll (see hints below)
• 1½ tsp salt
• ½ tsp pepper

Instructions for Meatballs:

• In a large bowl, gently mix all ingredients.
• Shape into golf-ball sized meatballs. Makes about 24.

Ingredients for "Königsberger Klopse mit Sosse":

• 2 lbs uncooked meatballs
• 6 cups chicken stock (or use water and bouillon cubes)
• 1 bay leaf
• ½ tsp black peppercorns
• 4 tbsp flour
• 3 tbsp cider vinegar
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 2 tbsp capers (optional)
• 1 cup sour cream (optional)
• salt and pepper

Instructions:

• Bring stock to boil. Add bay leaf and peppercorns.
• Gently add uncooked meatballs and lower heat to a simmer. Gently simmer for about 15 minutes or until meatballs are cooked through.
• Remove meatballs to a bowl and cover to keep warm.
• Discard bay leaf from stock.
• Return sauce (stock) to simmer. Mix flour with a bit of cold water to make a slurry and add to sauce, stirring until thickened (about 5 minutes.)
• Stir in cider vinegar and lemon juice.
• Add capers. 
• Remove from heat and add sour cream (if using) and season with salt and pepper.
• Return meatballs to sauce and return to heat if needed (do not bring to boil if you added sour cream.)
• Serves 4.

Hints:

• Traditionally, stale buns were used instead of bread crumbs. Easiest is to use a Kaiser roll, and soak it in some warm milk or water for about 10 minutes. Drain it, squeeze out the liquid, and crumble the roll and add to the meat instead of the breadcrumbs.

Leave a comment about this recipe or ask a question?

Pop right over to my private Facebook group, the Kaffeeklatschers. You'll find thousands of German foodies, all eager to help and to talk about all things German, especially these yummy foods. 

I pop in all the time as well, to chat and to answer questions. 

Meet with us around Oma's table, pull up a chair, grab a coffee and a piece of Apfelstrudel, and enjoy the visit.

Have Oma by your side ... helping you