Soutzoukakiaminigreekmeatballs Recipes

SOUTZOUKAKIA- MINI GREEK MEATBALLS

Steps:

• 1. Soak bread in wine for 5 min and then squeeze out excess liquid.
• 2. Combine meat, bread, onions, garlic, parsley, eggs, cheese, oregano, cumin, salt and pepper. Set aside and chill in fridge for 1 hour.
• 3. Pinch off 1 tbsp of meat mixture and mold it into little footballs or cigars. Place in casserole baking dish.
• 4. Combine spaghetti sauce with wine, cinnamon and cloves and pour over uncooked meatballs.
• 5. Bake uncovered in a preheated 375 degree oven for 1 hour.

SOUTZOUKAKIA (GREEK MEATBALLS IN TOMATO SAUCE)

Steps:

• For the meatballs, mix the ground beef, garlic, cumin, white wine, bread (squeeze out the wine and reserve to be used in the sauce) and egg.
• Season to taste with salt and pepper.
• Shape into approximately 30 sausage shaped patties, roll in flour and fry in oil until cooked through.
• Remove from pan, set aside on a plate covered with paper towels.
• For the sauce, bring the tomatoes stock and butter to a boil.
• Add the wine and the seasoning and simmer until sauce beginns to thicken.
• When the sauce starts to thicken, add the soutzoukakias and simmer for a further ten minutes.

SOUTZOUKAKIA (GREEK MEATBALLS IN A TOMATO SAUCE)

Steps:

• Soak the bread in the wine for about 5 minutes, or until thoroughly softened.
• Then, squeeze out and reserve the excess wine.
• In a large bowl, combine the ground meat with the wine soaked bread, onion, garlic, egg, parsley, grated cheese, cumin, and salt and pepper to taste.
• Mix the ingredients until thoroughly blended.
• Cover and chill for 1 to 2 hours.
• Dampen your hands, pinch off small portions of meat mixture, about the quantity of a teaspoon or just over, and shape into approximately 20 oval rolls (looks sort of like an elongated, slightly flattened, meatball).
• Dredge them in flour.
• Heat olive oil in a large frying pan.
• Add the meatballs and fry until browned all over, turning occasionally and allowing time for the meat to cook thoroughly. (alternatively, if you want a 'lighter' recipe, you could just brown in a non-stick pan or bake them in the oven - not as flavourful, but still good).
• Remove from the pan using a slotted spoon and set aside.
• Strain the oil you fried the meatballs in through a fine sieve into a cooking pan.
• Add all the sauce ingredients, and the reserved wine.
• Bring to a boil and simmer until the sauce is thick.
• Drop in the meatballs, stir to cover all over with the sauce, and simmer covered for 15 minutes.
• Serve hot with rice, french fries, or mashed potatoes.