Every once in a while I make a recipe that just beats expectation on all levels and this Ostrich Meatballs in Spicy Plum Sauce is it. It is easy to make, tastes fantastic and I think the photos do it absolute justice. These ostrich meatballs in spicy plum sauce is one of those recipes. And I am so happy it is a savoury recipe this time as it is usually a sweet recipe that has me excited to press the publish button.
The first time I made it was for a group of friends who came over for dinner. I wanted to keep the dinner as informal as possible so decided to go the tapas route for the evening and these meatballs were a hit as part of various tapas and meze I served. When I made them again to photograph I was just as happy with the results so this recipe is now a firm favourite.
On the evening of the dinner I cooked the meatballs just before my guests arrived and kept them covered with foil at room temperature. When I was ready to serve, then only did I do the part where you heat up the sauce and made sure I kept them on the heat long enough so that they are warmed through properly.
These meatballs will also be great in a lunch box the next day or you could serve them as a midweek dinner with a crunchy salad.
Ostrich is quite a lean meat so be careful not to overcook them so that the meatballs remain succulent and juicy. For the sauce I used a bottled Chili Plum sauce from a local producer in the Western Cape region. Check your local suppliers or supermarket for something similar or another kind of basting sauce of your choice will work just as well.
I hope you enjoy this recipe for SOstrich Meatballs in Spicy Plum Sauce and if you’ve made it, do share it with me by tagging and following @heinstirred on Instagram. It is always a treat to see the recipes made and enjoyed. My pottery shop, Sul Clay, is live and ready for you to explore. What started as a weekend pottery hobby, born from my search for beautiful props for my photography work, has grown into a second career. When I’m not behind the camera, I’m in the pottery studio making. I’d love for you to browse my latest collection, featuring striking vessels, elegant candle holders, playful floral-inspired petal plates, and dinner sets inspired by the local landscape. Shipping is available within the UAE, and international shipping can be arranged. 
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Ostrich Meatballs in Spicy Plum Sauce
Ingredients
- 500 g lean ground ostrich
- 2 red onions finely chopped
- a handful of parsley finely chopped
- 1 clove garlic mashed
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp ground coriander
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- zest of half a lemon
- oil for shallow frying
- 80 - 100 ml Chili Plum sauce
- Garnish
- chopped flat leaf parsley
Instructions
- Mix all the ingredients except the oil, plum sauce together and roll into meatballs the size of walnuts – you get about 25.
- Cover and rest the meatballs in fridge for 2 hours
- Heat the oil in a pan and fry the meatballs on all sides until just cooked.
- Do this in batches as to not overcrowd the pan.
- Keep the meatballs warm until all have been cooked.
- Clean the pan and return to the heat.
- Add about 40ml of the plum sauce to the pan.
- Once bubbling, add the meatballs and swirl it in the sauce.
- Add the rest of the sauce and as soon as the meatballs are well coated and the sauce cooked down a bit spoon it into a serving dish.
- Drizzle with any remaining sauce in the pan.
- Serve immediately with some chopped parsley for colour
This is another recipe that I have developed for My Collections with products available on the site. My Collections is a treasure-trove of the best food, adventures and stories that the world has to offer. It’s the flavour of the unknown – an online wandering goods market of unique tastes, sensations and new adventures.
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Selma | Selma's Table
Feb 5, 2015
These sound wonderful, Hein – I love the flavour of ostrich meat – it’s so rich and full of flavour. I had some in a tomato sauce the last time I was in CT and thought it was a fabulous meat. I like the sound of the chilli plum sauce with them – what lucky guests!! Your photos are gorgeous as usual.
hein
Feb 6, 2015
Thank you so much Selma. Next time I am making them they will be served in a sourdough roll.
Thalia @ butter and brioche
Feb 7, 2015
Can’t say that I’ve ever eaten ostrich before.. these meatballs look pretty delicious and flavoursome though. Wish I could get my hands on some ostrich meat in Australia so I can make them!
Liz @ Floating Kitchen
Feb 12, 2015
These look incredible. I absolutely love the moody-ness and shadows in these photos!
hein
Feb 12, 2015
Thank you so much Liz!