Curry-Spiced Katsu Chicken Ramen
Crispy panko-breaded chicken served atop curry-spiced ramen broth with soft-boiled eggs, carrot ribbons, fresh coriander and nori for a comforting fusion bowl.
Tender turkey meatballs flavoured with nutmeg, thyme and Dijon mustard, simmered in a rich tomato and vermouth sauce with spring onions and bay leaves.
I came up with these turkey meatballs for a recent cook-along event where I needed a recipe that everyone could make together without any stress. They turned out to be just right - tasty enough to feel special but straightforward enough that we could all have a bit of fun while cooking.
The meatballs themselves are full of festive flavours - nutmeg, thyme and a touch of Dijon mustard to keep them moist. I've used oats instead of breadcrumbs, which work just as well for binding and actually help keep the texture nice and tender.
These meatballs actually taste even better the next day once all the flavours have had time to develop.
The sauce is dead simple but very tasty. A splash of vermouth (you could use white wine) adds a lovely depth, while the spring onions give a gentler flavour than regular onions would.
It all comes together in about 35 minutes, and most of that time is just letting it bubble away on the hob while you get on with other things. These meatballs are great with a pasta like rigatoni, but they would work really well with mashed potatoes too. The sauce is just right for mopping up with whatever you serve them with.
This recipe serves two people generously, but you can easily double it if you're feeding more. Just make sure to use a big enough pan so the meatballs have room to brown properly. The only trick to getting them right is not to overcrowd the pan when you're browning them - you want them to get a nice colour on the outside while staying juicy in the middle.
The combination of warming spices makes these feel properly festive without being overly complicated. They're the kind of dish that works well for a special occasion but isn't too fussy to make on a regular weeknight.
Storage
Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheats beautifully and actually improves in flavour after a day or two.
Serving Suggestions
Serve with rigatoni or other pasta shapes, or with creamy mashed potatoes. Crusty bread is perfect for mopping up the sauce.
Did you make this? What did you think?
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