Thuringian meatballs in Persian pomegranate-walnut sauce with potato dumplings

Ingredients for 4 servings:

• 1 kg potatoes, floury
• 100 g potato flour
• 1 egg(s)
• Salt
• 1 pinch(s) nutmeg
• 500 g minced beef or mixed
• 1 egg(s)
• 1 tbsp breadcrumbs
• 1 small onion(s), finely chopped
• 1 garlic clove(s), chopped
• 1 tsp cumin powder
• 1 tsp sweet paprika powder
• salt and pepper
• 2 tbsp clarified butter or oil
• 1 tbsp butter
• 1 onion(s), chopped
• 150 g walnuts, finely chopped or ground
• 300 ml pomegranate juice (or 200 ml pomegranate pulp + 100 ml water)
• 200 ml chicken broth or vegetable broth
• 1 tsp cinnamon powder
• 1 pinch(s) saffron (optional, dissolved in 2 tbsp warm water)
• salt and pepper

Instructions

Working time approx. 1 hour; Cooking/baking time approx. 1 hour; Total time approx. 2 hours

Peel the potatoes, boil them in salted water until soft, and drain. While still hot, press them through a potato ricer. Allow the potato mixture to cool slightly, then knead it with potato flour, egg, salt, and nutmeg until a smooth dough forms. Form dumplings and let them simmer in gently simmering water until they rise to the surface. Keep warm. Mix the minced meat with the egg, breadcrumbs, onion, garlic, and spices. Form the mixture into small balls. Fry in a pan with clarified butter until golden brown on all sides. Remove from the pan and keep warm. In the same pan, sauté the onions in butter until translucent. Add the ground walnuts and toast briefly. Stir in the pomegranate juice, stock, cinnamon, and optionally saffron. Simmer everything over low heat for about 15 minutes, until the sauce thickens. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Add the meatballs to the sauce and simmer over low heat for another 10 minutes. Serve the meatballs in the pomegranate-walnut sauce with the potato dumplings. Garnish with chopped walnuts and fresh pomegranate seeds. The fruity-nutty sauce with a hint of cinnamon and saffron perfectly complements the spicy Thuringian meatballs. The potato dumplings add a familiar, down-to-earth touch—a true fusion experience!