Grecian Lamb Balls Recipes

GREEK MEATBALLS RECIPE (KEFTEDES/ KEFTETHES)

Steps:

• To prepare this traditional Greek meatballs recipe (keftedes), add all the ingredients into a large bowl and mix well (for about 5-10 minutes), squeezing with your hands, to allow the flavours to blend. Cover the bowl with some plastic wrap and let it rest in the fridge for 1 hour.
• Turn the mixture for the keftedes out of the fridge and roll into meatballs the size of a walnut (or bigger if you prefer). If you're frying them, dredge the rolled meatballs lightly in flour making sure to shake off any excess. Fry until nicely browned on all sides.
• The traditional way of cooking Greek meatballs (keftedes) is frying them. Fry the keftedes in batches of 10-15 at a time, until nicely browned on all sides.
• Instead of frying you can bake / grill the keftedes in the oven. Preheat the oven at 200C, place the un-floured keftedes on greased baking sheet about an inch apart. Bake for about 20 minutes, turning the meatballs upside down midway through cooking time. The grilled version is much lighter than the fried so theres not excuse to not trying it now!
• Keftedes (Greek meatballs) are ideally served as an appetizer (meze) with some creamy tzatziki sauce and pita breads or as a main course with some basmati rice and a Greek salad. Enjoy!

GREEK LAMB MEATBALLS

Steps:

• Heat 1 tbsp of the oil in a large shallow flameproof casserole or frying pan over a medium heat. Add the meatballs and fry for 5 mins or until golden brown. Set aside on a plate.
• Heat the remaining oil in the same pan and fry the potatoes over a medium heat for 5 mins, or until they're starting to turn golden brown.
• Add the garlic to the pan and fry for 1 min. Stir through the chargrilled veg, tomatoes and sugar, as well as the olives. Season. Add the meatballs back to the pan, cover and cook over a medium-low heat for 30-35 mins, stirring occasionally. Remove the lid halfway through, the potatoes should be just cooked through with the liquid slightly reduced.
• Remove the pan from the heat and serve at the table with the feta, mint and lemon zest scattered over.

LAMB MEATBALLS WITH TZATZIKI SAUCE

Steps:

• In the bowl with the lamb, add red onion, garlic, egg, bread crumbs, cumin, mayonnaise, fresh mint, and salt. Using your hands, mix thoroughly to distribute the ingredients evenly. With a teaspoon, form the mixture into 24 meatballs. Don't level the meat off or pack the meatballs too tightly.
• Preheat the broiler.
• Lightly spread canola oil on a baking sheet using a paper towel. Place the meatballs two inches apart on the baking sheet, and position the baking sheet 4 inches from the heat source.
• Broil for about 5 minutes, turning once halfway through.
• Arrange the meatballs on a serving platter, and squeeze fresh lemon juice over the top. Sprinkle the cayenne pepper over the meatballs at the last minute. Serve at once with tzatziki.
• Place cucumber, olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, salt, mint, and dill in a bowl and mix well. Add the Greek yogurt and mix well.
• Cover with plastic wrap or place in an airtight container, and chill in the refrigerator for at least 2 to 3 hours before serving.

GREEK LAMB MEATBALLS IN LEMON SAUCE

Steps:

• Beat milk and egg together in a large bowl. Stir in bread crumbs, mint, parsley, onion, dill, garlic, salt, and pepper. Add ground lamb; mix well. Shape into 1-inch meatballs.
• Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add meatballs; cook until browned, 1 to 2 minutes per side. Reduce heat and cover; cook until meatballs are no longer pink in the center, 15 to 20 minutes.
• Meanwhile, melt butter in a saucepan. Blend in flour, salt, and pepper. Add milk; cook and stir until thickened and bubbly, about 5 minutes. Simmer for 2 minutes more. Stir in lemon juice and zest.
• Drain meatballs and transfer them to a serving dish. Spoon the lemon sauce on top.

GREEK LAMB MEATBALLS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425 degrees F and line baking sheet with parchment paper.
• In large bowl, add ground lamb, onions, lemon zest, parsley, garlic, cumin, rosemary, salt, pepper and feta.
• Gently fold meatball mixture together with hands to fully incorporate ingredients.
• Roll into 12 meatballs and arrange on baking sheet.
• Pour a teaspoon of oil in hands, rub together and then gently pick up each meatball to coat in oil on the outside.
• Bake 425 degrees F for 15 mins.
• Serve lamb meatballs with your favorite ingredients.

GRECIAN LAMB BALLS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
• In a bowl, knead together the lamb, garlic, parsley, oregano or mint, and cinnamon until they are well mixed.
• Form into 1-inch meatballs and place in a baking dish.
• Bake for 20 to 30 minutes until done to your liking.
• Sprinkle with sea salt and lemon juice just before serving.
• Variation: For Dill Lamb Balls; Substitute 2 tsp dried dill for the oregano or mint and omit the cinnamon.

GREEK LAMB MEATBALLS

Steps:

• Combine lamb, Greek Seasoning, and dill.
• Roll meat mixture into 20 meatballs.
• Sprinkle balls with salt and pepper to taste.
• Preheat oven to 350°F.
• Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat.
• Add half of the meatballs, and cook, turning the balls to brown on all sides.
• When meatballs are brown, transfer to a baking sheet coated with cooking spray.
• When all meatballs are browned, place the sheet in the oven and cook for 10- 12 minutes, or until the balls are cooked through.
• Place balls on a cooling rack covered with paper towels to drain excess grease.
• At this point, I cool, freeze, and reheat later. I like to serve with tzatziki sauce and Greek salad, or use as a lunchbox filler. Feel free to sauce however you wish.

GREEK LAMB MEATBALL SLIDERS WITH TZATZIKI

Steps:

• Preheat the broiler.
• For the lamb meatballs: Soak the breadcrumbs in the milk for 5 minutes. In a large bowl, combine the lamb, coriander, cumin, garlic, oregano, mint, some salt and pepper, and the soaked breadcrumbs. Mix well, but do not overwork. Fold in the feta, then form the mixture into eight 2-inch meatballs.
• Place the meatballs in a large, greased cast-iron pan. Place the pan 7 to 8 inches from the heating element; broil for 10 to 12 minutes, or until cooked through, turning once halfway through.
• For the tzatziki: Grate the cucumber into a small strainer and squeeze out excess water. Combine the grated cucumber with the yogurt, lemon zest, olive oil, dill and garlic and mix well. Season with salt and pepper. Cover and refrigerate until ready to use.
• To assemble the sliders: Load a meatball onto each bun. Top with tomato slices and some tzatziki. Secure the sliders with bamboo skewers. Serve on a large platter with extra tzatziki on the side.