My Big Fat Greek Meatballs |
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Prep Time: 25 Minutes Cook Time: 10 Minutes |
Ready In: 35 Minutes Servings: 12 |
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My recipe for keftedes - Greek meatballs. Ingredients:
1 lb fresh ground lamb (other ground meat may be substituted) |
1/2 cup finely minced onions or 1 -2 tablespoon minced onion flakes |
1 -3 minced garlic clove |
1/2 cup finely minced pimiento-free green olives or 1/2 cup kalamata olive |
1 cup crumbled feta cheese or 1 cup grated parmesan cheese |
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (juice of 1 lemon) |
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley or 1 1/2 teaspoons parsley flakes |
1 tablespoon chopped fresh mint or 1 teaspoon dried mint |
1 1/4 teaspoons fine sea salt |
1/2 teaspoon finely grated fresh lemon zest (yellow rind only) |
1/4 teaspoon ground allspice |
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon |
1 teaspoon ground cumin |
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg |
1/2 teaspoon crushed dried oregano |
1/2 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper |
1/4 teaspoon white pepper |
1 large egg, beaten |
1 tablespoon flour |
1/2 cup fresh breadcrumb (crust removed) |
1/4 cup milk |
1/8 cup ouzo liqueur or 1/8 cup pernod or 1 teaspoon anise extract |
olive oil (for frying) |
flour (to coat before frying) |
1 cup plain yogurt |
1/2 cup cucumber, finely chopped |
2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill or 1 1/2 teapoons dried dill |
3/4 teaspoon chopped fresh mint or 1/4 teaspoon dried mint |
1/2 teaspoon finely minced fresh garlic |
2 -3 teaspoons thinly snipped green onion tops (optional) |
1/4 teaspoon finely grated fresh lemon zest (yellow rind only) |
Directions:
1. TRADITIONAL PREPARATION METHOD: INTO a large bowl add the MAIN INGREDIENTS without mixing (1 lb fresh ground lamb (other ground meat may be added and/or substituted), 1/2 cup finely minced onions or 1-2 tablespoons minced onion flakes, 1-3 minced garlic clove, 1/2 cup finely minced pimiento-free olives (green or kalamata), 1 cup crumbled feta cheese or 1 cup grated parmesan cheese, 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (juice of 1 lemon), 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley or 1 1/2 teaspoons parsley flakes, 1 tablespoon chopped fresh mint or 1 teaspoon dried mint, 1 1/4 teaspoons fine sea salt, 1/2 teaspoon finely grated fresh lemon zest, 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice, 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1 teaspoon ground cumin, 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg, 1/2 teaspoon crushed dried oregano, 1/2 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper, 1/4 teaspoon white pepper; BEAT a one egg with 1 tablespoon flour in a small bowl; POUR 1/4 cup milk and 1/8 cup ouzo or Pernod (or 1 teaspoon anise extract) into the egg and flour mixture; ADD 1/2 cup bread crumbs; ALLOW breadcrumbs to soak; ADD soaked bread crumb mixture to meat mixture; MIX well; CHILL meatball mixture until very cold (40 degrees F).
2. ALTERNATE QUICK METHOD: INTO large food processor add 1/4 cup milk, 1 egg, 1 tablespoon flour, 1/8 cup ouzo (or 1 teaspoon anise extract) and 1/2 cup bread crumbs; PROCESS; ADD the MAIN INGREDIENTS except for ground lamb and feta cheese; PROCESS; ADD ground lamb; PROCESS (Feta cheese may be added to mixture now and processed or folded into after); REMOVE meat from processor; CHILL meatball mixture until very cold (you may use freezer).
3. ROLL meat mixture into walnut-sized balls.
4. SCANT pour 1 cup flour into a tear-resistant bag.
5. PLACE uncooked meatballs into a bag containing flour.
6. GENTLY shake a few meatballs at a time in bag with flour.
7. REPEAT procedure until all meatballs are coated with flour.
8. FRY flour-coated meatballs in at least 1/2 inch hot olive oil until browned and fully cooked, about 1/2 batch at a time (meatballs may be deep-fried in a deep-fryer, or in an electric wok, which is the easiest method providing the best results).
9. COMBINE the TZATZIKI SAUCE recipe ingredients and chill. Use this as a sauce, dip or dressing for gyros, or pita sandwiches with sliced cold meatballs in pita bread, or rolled in a flatbread with fresh tomatoes and onions. Delicious!
10. Serve and say, OPA !
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