Crispy Butcher's Nuggets

These crispy fried meatballs are traditionally made by grinding up the leftover trimmings from a butcher shop, and while our version won't have the same diversity of meats, at least we'll know for sure what's in it. At Fern Bar in Sebastopol, where I stole the idea, they'll switch up the ingredients depending on what's around, as well as change the sauce underneath. Garnish these nuggets with pickled vegetables and olives.

• Preparation Time: 30 mins
• Cooking Time: 5 mins
• Total Time: 35 mins
• Calories: 252 Calories

Ingredients

• vegetable oil for frying
• ¼ cup milk
• 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 2 large eggs, beaten
• 1 dash Worcestershire sauce
• ½ pound ground beef
• ¼ cup mayonnaise
• 1 clove garlic, crushed
• ¼ cup ketchup
• 1 pinch cayenne pepper, or to taste
• ¼ cup yellow mustard
• 1 cup all-purpose flour, or as needed
• 1 ½ teaspoons kosher salt
• ½ teaspoon chipotle chile powder
• 1 cup panko bread crumbs, or as needed
• 3 tablespoons panko bread crumbs
• ½ pound ground lamb
• 1 teaspoon finely minced fresh rosemary

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Heat oil in a deep-fryer or large saucepan to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).

Step 2

Combine 3 tablespoons bread crumbs, kosher salt, black pepper, cayenne, rosemary, garlic, milk, and Worcestershire sauce in a bowl. Mix to create a slurry. Let sit for 15 minutes to hydrate bread crumbs.

Step 3

Mix ground lamb and ground beef together gently in another bowl using 2 forks. Mix in bread crumb slurry using the same 2-fork method until just combined. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1 hour.

Step 4

Place flour, eggs, and bread crumbs in 3 separate shallow dishes. Portion out nuggets using a 1 1/2-tablespoon scoop. Roll nuggets in flour; shake off excess. Dip into beaten eggs using your free hand, shaking off excess between fingers. Transfer to bread crumbs and coat with your dry hand, pressing gently to make sure surface is covered. Sprinkle leftover bread crumbs over a plate and add the nuggets. Refrigerate, uncovered, for 1 hour.

Step 5

Meanwhile, combine mayonnaise, mustard, ketchup, and chipotle powder in a bowl for sauce. Refrigerate until ready to use.

Step 6

Fry nuggets in the hot oil until golden, 3 to 4 minutes. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate and let rest and finish cooking for 3 to 4 minutes before serving with sauce.