About
Pop's Bourbon Balls are an interesting and tasty culinary curiosity. They're essentially meatballs, filled with different kinds of pork (including bacon!) and then pan-fried. They take a swim in a rich, smoky, sweet bourbon sauce, and presto! You have yourself something special. Pop's Bourbon Balls may be a different kind of meatball than the ones you're used to, but they definitely leave an impression!
Ingredients
- For the bourbon balls:
- 2 pounds ham, boneless and fully-cooked
- 1 (8-ounce) thick pork loin chop, boneless
- 1/2 pound bacon strips
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1 cup 2% milk
- 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
- neutral oil, to taste
- For the sauce:
- 1 1/2 cups brown sugar, packed
- 1/2 cup white vinegar
- 1/2 cup bourbon
- 2 teaspoons spicy brown mustard
Directions
Step 1 -Line a 10x15-inch pan with foil.
Step 2 -Cut the ham, the pork chop, and the bacon into 1-inch pieces.
Step 3 -Arrange the meat pieces in a single layer in the prepared pan.
Step 4 -Freeze the meat until partially frozen, about 30 minutes.
Step 5 -Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Step 6 -Transfer the meat to a food processor in batches.
Step 7 -Pulse the meat mixture until coarsely ground, about 20-24 pulses.
Step 8 -In a large bowl, combine the breadcrumbs, the milk, and the eggs.
Step 9 -Add the meat mixture to the egg mixture and mix lightly, but thoroughly.
Step 10 -Shape the meat mixture into 1 1/2-inch spheres.
Step 11 -In a large skillet over medium heat, heat 1/4-inch of the oil.
Step 12 -Add the meatballs to the hot oil in batches and cook until the meat reaches an internal temperature of 145 degrees F, about 3-4 minutes.
Step 13 -Transfer the meatballs to paper towels to drain.
Step 14 -Repeat the frying process until all of the meatballs are fried, adding more of the oil as needed.
Step 15 -In a large bowl, whisk together the brown sugar, the white vinegar, the bourbon, and the mustard.
Step 16 -Reserve 1 cup of the sauce for serving.
Step 17 -In batches, add the cooked meatballs to the sauce and soak for 1-2 minutes.
Step 18 -Transfer the soaked meatballs to the prepared 10x15-inch baking pan lined with foil.
Step 19 -Bake the meatballs, while brushing them occasionally with the remaining sauce from the soaking process, until heated through, about 15-20 minutes.
Step 20 -Serve the bourbon balls with the reserved sauce.
