How to Make Perfectly Juicy Smothered Rissoles at Home - Scott Biffin

1. Perfectly Juicy Smothered Rissoles Welcome to your guide for creating the ultimate comfort food! These tender meat patties bathed in savory gravy will become your new go-to weeknight dinner. Simple ingredients, big flavor, and guaranteed family approval.

2. What Are Rissoles? Rissoles are seasoned ground meat patties popular in many cuisines around the world. Think of them as the perfect middle ground between a hamburger and a meatball! What makes them special is their versatility and how they absorb the flavors of whatever sauce they're cooked in - in our case, a rich, homemade gravy that takes them to the next level.

3. Ingredients You'll Need 1 2 For the Rissoles For the Gravy • 1 lb ground beef (or 50/50 beef and pork mix) • 1 medium onion, sliced • ½ cup breadcrumbs • 2 tbsp all-purpose flour • 1 small onion, finely diced • 2 cups beef stock • 2 garlic cloves, minced • 1 tsp thyme leaves (optional) • 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped • 1 bay leaf (optional) • 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce • Salt and pepper to taste • 1 egg, lightly beaten • 2 tbsp butter • Salt and pepper to taste • 1 tbsp olive oil

4. Preparing the Perfect Rissole Mixture Shape into Patties Mix with Care Form mixture into 6-8 evenly sized patties about ¾-inch thick. Make a slight indent in the center with your thumb to prevent them from puffing up. Combine Ingredients The secret: Use your fingertips and mix just until combined. Overmixing compacts the meat and results in tough rissoles! In a large bowl, gently mix ground meat, breadcrumbs, finely diced onion, minced garlic, fresh herbs, Worcestershire sauce, beaten egg, salt, and pepper. For extra flavor, let the mixture rest in the refrigerator for 30 minutes before shaping. This allows the flavors to meld together!

5. Chef's Tip: The Perfect Sear "The secret to juicy rissoles is getting that perfect initial sear. A hot pan and minimal handling will create a flavorful crust while sealing in all those delicious juices." — Chef Scott Biffin Heat your pan until it's very hot before adding the rissoles. Don't overcrowd the pan, and resist the urge to constantly flip or press them down!

6. Cooking Your Rissoles Sear the Patties Create the Base Make the Gravy Heat 1 tbsp olive oil and 1 tbsp butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook rissoles for 2-3 minutes per side until deeply browned. Remove and set aside. In the same pan, add remaining butter and sliced onions. Sauté until golden (about 5 minutes). Sprinkle flour over onions and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly. Gradually whisk in beef stock. Add herbs if using. Bring to a simmer, stirring frequently until the gravy thickens (about 3-4 minutes).

7. Finishing Your Smothered Rissoles The Final Simmer Return the browned rissoles to the pan with the gravy Reduce heat to low and cover the pan Simmer gently for 15-20 minutes until rissoles are cooked through (internal temperature of 160°F) Occasionally spoon gravy over the rissoles to keep them moist If the gravy becomes too thick, add a splash of stock or water

8. Troubleshooting Common Issues Dry Rissoles Falling Apart Lumpy Gravy If your rissoles turn out dry, you likely overcooked them or used meat that was too lean. Next time, use meat with at least 15% fat content and make sure not to overcook. Rissoles that break apart need more binding. Make sure you're using enough breadcrumbs and egg, and refrigerate the mixture for 30 minutes before cooking to help it hold together. For smooth gravy, whisk continuously while adding stock to the flour-onion mixture. If lumps form, strain the gravy through a fine mesh sieve or blend with an immersion blender.

9. Serving Suggestions Classic Comfort Rustic Family Style Serve over a bed of creamy mashed potatoes with the gravy generously spooned over top. Add buttered green beans or peas on the side for color and nutrition. Place the entire skillet of smothered rissoles in the center of the table with sides in separate dishes. Let everyone help themselves for a cozy, communal dining experience. Complete Meal For a heartier option, serve alongside roasted root vegetables like carrots and parsnips. A slice of crusty bread on the side is perfect for soaking up extra gravy!

10. Make It Your Own! Tasty Variations "Keep the seasoning simple to let the natural flavors shine. These homey rissoles don't need fancy ingredients - they're all about comfort and satisfaction." • Add grated cheese to the meat mixture for extra richness — Chef Scott Biffin • Mix in diced bell peppers for color and sweetness • Use ground turkey or chicken for a lighter option Remember, the best recipes are those you make your own. Don't be afraid to experiment and adjust to your family's taste preferences! • Add mushrooms to the gravy for an earthy flavor • Stir in a splash of red wine or Worcestershire sauce to the gravy