CONTEST MAIN DISH:Sauerbraten Meatballs (Sauerbrated Klopse)

SAUERBRATEN MEATBALLS (Sauerbrated Klopse)
Adapted by BumbleBeeBoogie

1 pound ground beef
1/4 cup whole milk
1/4 cup dry bread crumbs (Japanese Panko dried bread crumbs)
1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
1/8 teaspoon ground allspice
1/2 teaspoon salt
freshly ground black pepper, to taste
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 cup water
1/2 cup wine vinegar
3/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1 bay leaf
4 tablespoons brown sugar
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
pepper to taste
Cooked noodles

In a large bowl, mix together the ground beef, milk, crumbs, cloves, allspice, salt and pepper. Form into meatballs.

In a large skillet, brown the meatballs in the hot oil. Drain off the fat. Add 1 cup water, vinegar, ginger, bay leaf, and brown sugar. Cover and simmer over low heat for 1/2 hour. Remove the meatballs from the skillet and keep them warm.

In a small bowl, mix together the flour and 2 tablespoons of water to form a thin paste. Slowly stir the paste into the pan juices, stirring constantly, and cook until the gravy thickens. Return the meat balls to the gravy in the skillet and simmer for 2 minutes. Serve the meatballs and gravy over buttered noodles. Serves 4.