Fleisch-Pflanzl or Bavarian Meatballs

I am still in Europe teaching and haven't had much of a chance to cook. But, I learned how to make - Fleisch-Pflanzl - otherwise known as Bavarian Meatballs. They actually look more like hamburger patties, but they are quite wonderfully moist and delicious and luckily they are very easy to make! I'm going back to Seattle next week and my sons have already requested a repeat performance. I served them with boiled potatoes and mushroms and what they call Mange Tout - which means "eat all"- otherwise known as Snow Pea Pods. My friends were quite impressed with the results and said that my Bavarian Roots were showing. They eat them with mustard - I added some sauteed mushrooms finished off with a bit heavy cream to serve over the potatoes. We also had strawberries for dessert. Hope you enjoy these too!

Bavarian Meatballs

1 pound ground beef

2 slices white loaf bread

1/2 cup warm beef broth (or 1/2 cup warm water mixed with 1/2 beef boullion cube)

1 egg

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon pepper

1 small onion minced fine (minus about 2 Tablespoons for the mushrooms)

2 Tablespoons butter

Soak bread in beef broth until soft and mush into very small pieces. Meanwhile, melt butter and saute onion until soft and then add to bread mixture. Add ground beef along with salt and pepper. Mix together very thoroughly. Shape into palm sized patties and place in a frying pan. Cook on medium heat until each side is brown and then heat a few minutes more on each side. Remove to serving plate.

Mushrooms with Cream Sauce

2 Tablespoons Butter

2 Tablespoons Minced Onion

1 box button mushrooms - about 12 washed and sliced

1/4 cup cream

1/4 teaspoon garlic salt or 1/4 teaspoon salt with 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

Melt butter in frying pan on medium heat. Add in onions and stir until they become translucent. Add mushrooms and saute until their liquid is released and they soften and turn darker brown. Add in cream and bring to boil for 2 - 3 minutes. Add in garlic salt or salt and garlic powder and serve in a bowl.

Five Element Analysis

Beef belongs to the Earth Element, but the bread adds a bit of the Wood Element and the onions bring in some Metal. By itself, this dish is not very balanced in terms of the Five Elements. Therefore, some additional side dishes and condiments are necessary. The traditional mustard brings in more Metal whereas the mushrooms add more Earth and the cream adds more Metal. So, green vegetables are helpful for bringing in more of the Wood Element. Only the Fire Element needs representation and my son suggested Ketchup or Sricha Hot Sauce! You could probably add an arugula salad or some sliced tomatoes. I served strawberries to bring in the fire to round out the elements.