Chop the onion and slice the garlic finely.

Fry the bacon strips about 1 minute in the pan.

Add the onion and bake for another 3 minutes.

Add the garlic and thyme and fry everything about 1 minute, while continuing to stir.

Remove from heat.

Put the breadcrumbs in the bowl and pour the milk in.

Mix with the onion mixture, the egg and meat.

Bring to taste with salt and pepper.

Role eight balls from the meat.

Melt the butter in the pan and fry the balls until golden brown.

Reduce heat to low and add 1 cup hot water.

Put the lid on the pan and bake the balls in about 20 minutes. (check occasionally and turn them when needed).

Take the balls out of the pan to make a gravy:

Using a wooden spatula scrape the bottom of the pan.

Add 2 tablespoons of hot water (and optional one teaspoon thyme). Serve the gravy with the meatballs.