I needed an easy recipe this week and our Cook the Books Friday assignment is exactly that. Thank goodness, because even so, I’m finishing this post as the clock nears midnight.
I didn’t expect to come out to my parents’ place today, but my mother had a computer crisis that required some expert help, so earlier this week, I had her bring her hard drive to The Hackery. (They’ve helped so many people I know and I trust them.)
Her computer was ready for pick up today, so I packed up the moose mince I’d thawed in anticipation of today’s assignment, along with some seasonings I suspected she didn’t have at home, and of course, her favourite small dog. (I didn’t actually pack her, unless putting on her harness counts.)
We meandered back to her house, stopping for lunch and running a few errands. By the time we arrived, it was time to get started in the kitchen.
My Dad picked some Swiss chard and potatoes from the garden and prepared those while I worked on the meatballs. They’re meant to approximate merguez sausage, but we used sambal oelek in place of harissa, so they were more like merguez with a twist.
They were delicious. Because moose meat is so lean, I added a heaping tablespoon of bacon fat to the mixture, which is always a good choice. The potatoes were seasoned with salt and pepper. The chard was stirfryed with a little lemon. The simplicity of the sides was perfect with the spicy meatballs. The sambal oelek mayo helped cool things down just the right amount. It was a perfect meal, especially when I found out my mother had made apple pie.
Now, I’m going to finish sorting out my mother’s computer, so she can end her enforced holiday from all the volunteer work she’s got waiting.
You can read through everyone’s posts here. And consider joining this community of wonderful cooks and lovely people, as we work our way through David Lebovitz‘ My Paris Kitchen.
One Wet Foot 
What a great dinner and so many items straight out of the garden.
Interesting Meatballs Teresa using moose. I also like how Betsy used the lamb, whose spice flavor combination reminds me of something similar a friend of mine from Malaysia prepares and I love them! Hope all is now in order with Mom’s computer!
Wow! never heard of anything like this before Teresa. My husband would go crazy for these spicy meatballs. For some reason I cannot have much spice anymore, I used to love it so. What a wonderful daughter you are to help your mom with her computer. Take care!
Moose mince!! Brilliant! What a lovely post Teresa! Sounds like your afternoon and evening were great! I thought these were really good. I used lamb and Sriracha, but yours sound delicious, and I bet that little bit of smokiness from the bacon really added another layer of flavor!!
Hope your mom’s computer is all fixed up! Have a wonderful weekend!
Sounds like a great meal. It seems most of us served these as dinner instead of an appetizer. They are delicious.
That is a great combination for a meal. I love swiss chard a lot. These little meatballs were really tasty and a big winner.
Your meatballs looks delish! I always like to hear about your garden produce! Chard and potatoes, I’m so jealous!
First, I also hope someday to get back to Vancouver (a quick stopover for Michael and I just before going to Alaska long ago) and I already know you would be a perfect tour guide. I’ve read so many of your posts telling places of interest in your city. Thank you for offering your services!!! I always regret that you weren’t able to come to Seattle and meet all of us at the bloggers convention long ago. Now, about that moose meat. You almost gave me a heart attack. Moose meat? (I’ve eaten elk.) I spend a large amount of my patrolling time trying to protect the few moose that roam in our area. Eating them never crossed my mind. I do understand, I guess, that they are more plentiful in your neck of the woods. Glad you added bacon fat because I think it needed it to hold it together. I absolutely loved these meatballs and probably would love them no matter what sauce I used (catchup is verboten). Your flowers are gorgeous. Wish I had someone to help with my computer glitches. I have talked to more GoDaddy techs than I ever wanted.
Moose mince, chard and potatoes from the garden!! Big time envy for the homegrown stuff! Great meatballs in that bright vessel!
That entire meal sounds fabulous! When I first read moose mince I was thinking “is this possibly a Canadian euphemism for something else? probably not.” And indeed it wasn’t! Not that I’m surprised that people in the north would eat moose. Anyway, it’s early in the morning and I’m giving you this odd train-of-thought commentary! 🙂 The point is that it sounds great and I bet the bacon fat did add a really nice texture and flavor! Oh and your flower photos are just amazing. Seriously.
Wow, that sounds like a fantastic meal! I love how each of you contributed something delicious.
Moose mince – now that is cool. You’d never get that in Oz.
So jealous of your garden goodies! I would love to try the moose mince too!
Oh moose mince, how exciting! I don’t believe I ever tasted that, but would imagine it would be great with the spices and garden accompaniments!
Sounds like it was a family cooking day. Love the pictures of the flowers. My California garden is pitiful and dry. Have a great weekend.