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The art of making delicious bird’s nests yourself

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Bird’s nests are a tasty treat in themselves, but when you combine them with creamy mashed potatoes and a flavoursome tomato sauce, you get a truly heavenly dish that everyone will salivate over. So let’s continue our cooking adventure and incorporate these delectable additions. Here you will learn how to start making delicious bird’s nests with tomato sauce and mashed potatoes yourself! (Source cover photo: AH.be)

Ingredients

  • 500g mixed minced meat (beef-pork)
  • 4 eggs
  • 1 onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves of garlic, finely chopped
  • 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
  • 2 tablespoons chopped parsley
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Oil for frying

(Source photo: AH)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the mince mixture. In a large bowl, mix the mixed minced meat, chopped onion, garlic, breadcrumbs, chopped parsley, salt and pepper. Knead the mixture well until all ingredients are evenly distributed.
  2. Form the bird’s nest. Take some of the mince mixture and shape it into a ball. Then press a hole in the centre of the ball with your thumb and form the mince around the hole into a nest.
  3. Fry the nests. Heat some oil in a pan over medium-high heat. Fry the bird’s nest on both sides until golden brown, about 3-4 minutes per side. Make sure the mince is fully cooked.
  4. Add the eggs. When the nests are almost cooked, carefully crack an egg into the centre of each nest. Let the eggs cook slowly while the meatballs continue to cook. If you like softer eggs, you can cover the pan and simmer the nests for a few more minutes until the eggs are to your liking.

Ingredients for the mashed potatoes

  • 4 large potatoes, peeled and cut into pieces
  • 50g butter
  • 1/4 cup of milk
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions for the mashed potatoes

  1. Boil the potatoes. Put the sliced potatoes in a large pan with lightly salted water. Bring to the boil and simmer until soft, about 15-20 minutes.
  2. Mash the potatoes. Drain the boiled potatoes and return them to the pan. Add the butter and milk, and mash the potatoes with a masher until smooth. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

(Source photo: IStock)

Ingredients for the tomato sauce

  • 1 onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves of garlic, finely chopped
  • 400g diced tomatoes (from a can)
  • 1 tablespoon tomato puree
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • A pinch of sugar (optional)

Instructions for the tomato sauce

  1. Fry the onion and garlic. Heat some oil in a pan over medium-high heat. Fry the chopped onion and garlic until softened and lightly browned.
  2. Add the tomatoes. Add the diced tomatoes, tomato puree, dried oregano, salt, pepper and a pinch of sugar, if needed, to the pan. Simmer on low heat for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens.

Compile

  1. Serve the bird’s nest. Spoon some mashed potatoes on a plate, top with a few bird’s nest.
  2. Pour the tomato sauce. Spoon a generous spoonful of the tomato sauce over the bird’s nest.
  3. Optional: Garnish with some fresh chopped parsley or grated cheese for extra flavour and texture.
  4. Serve and enjoy! Serve the bird’s nest with mashed potatoes and tomato sauce warm, and let yourself and your guests enjoy this delicious and satisfying meal!

The combination of juicy bird’s nests, creamy mashed potatoes and flavoursome tomato sauce is sure to be a hit at the table. So get started with making the bird’s nests and side dishes and let your taste buds dance with this delectable creation! Enjoy your meal!