Best Keftedakia Greek Lamb Meatballs Recipes

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KEFTEDAKIA (GREEK MEATBALLS)



Keftedakia (Greek Meatballs) image

These are so tasty! The raw meatball mixture is quite 'loose' and needs a gentle touch, but it will hold together (trust me). In Greece, these are considered top-notch picnic fare. Leftovers make a good second meal (so make more meatballs!) the next day added to a tomato sauce and used to top rice, or mashed potatoes, or pasta, or............Please note there's a minimum of 1 hour refrigeration of the meat mixture prior to frying.

Provided by evelynathens

Categories     Meat

Time 40m

Yield 24-30 meatballs

Number Of Ingredients 14

1 lb ground beef
1/2 lb ground pork
1 large onion, minced
2 garlic cloves, minced
salt and pepper
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1 1/2 teaspoons dried mint, rubbed
2 slices white bread, crusts removed (from dense sourdough or artisan loaf)
1/4 cup milk
1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
1 egg
1 ounce ouzo liqueur (optional)
flour (for dredging)
oil (for frying)

Steps:

  • Mix meats, onion, garlic, salt, pepper, oregano and mint.
  • Remove crusts from bread slices, process into crumbs (I use my mini food processor) and moisten in milk.
  • Add bread and egg to meat (you can add a shot glass full of ouzo for flavouring at this point, if you like).
  • Knead mixture so that everything is incorporated evenly. This probably means more handling of the meat than you're usually used to, but it's ok in this particular recipe. The milk does not need to be squeezed out of the bread. It will all come together after kneading into a kind of meat paste.
  • Refrigerate for at least 1 hour before using (I often make this an evening earlier to use the next day).
  • Shape into walnut-sized balls, dredge in flour, and saute in hot oil until meatballs are cooked and browned on all sides. (I use olive oil because I have an endless source, but a good vegetable oil, or a combination of vegetable and olive oil would be fine).
  • Good hot or at room temperature.
  • Note: To freeze (after cooking) Flash freeze separately. When frozen you can pop them into freezer bag.
  • Note2: You can also bake these in the oven (you do not need to dredge in flour if you do). They are very good this way, too. Obviously, frying provides a lot of flavour, but sometimes, cutting some calories is also a good thing. ;-).
  • To heat: Thaw and use as per directions above.

KITTENCAL'S GREEK LAMB AND FETA MEATBALLS (KEFTEDAKIA)



Kittencal's Greek Lamb and Feta Meatballs (Keftedakia) image

These are a huge favorite with my family, there a wonderful change from regular beef meatballs, plan ahead the mixture needs to chill for 24 hours before shaping into balls :)

Provided by Kittencalrecipezazz

Categories     Lamb/Sheep

Time P1DT20m

Yield 16 meatballs

Number Of Ingredients 12

1 lb ground lamb
1/2 teaspoon seasoning salt or 1/2 teaspoon white salt
1/2 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper (or to taste)
1 -2 tablespoon fresh minced garlic
1/3 cup fresh minced parsley (can use a little more)
1 pinch dried oregano (rubbed between fingers to release the flavors)
1 small onion, finely chopped
1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
1/2 cup chopped pitted green olives
2 eggs, slightly beaten
1 teaspoon white vinegar
1 tablespoon olive oil

Steps:

  • In a large bowl, mix together, all ingredients including the 1 tablespoon of olive oil.
  • Cover and refrigerate for 24 hours or up to 48 hours.
  • Shape into 16 meatballs, and place on a baking sheet.
  • Set oven to 350 degrees F.
  • Bake for about for 20-25 minutes or until meat is cooked.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 118.2, Fat 9.8, SaturatedFat 4, Cholesterol 48.1, Sodium 144.3, Carbohydrate 1.1, Fiber 0.3, Sugar 0.4, Protein 6.3

SWEET AND SPICY GREEK MEATBALLS (KEFTEDES ME SALTSA DOMATA)



Sweet and Spicy Greek Meatballs (Keftedes me Saltsa Domata) image

Provided by Giada De Laurentiis

Time 29m

Yield 4 to 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 17

1 pound ground lamb, or 20-percent fat ground beef
1 cup cooked and cooled couscous (see Cook's Note)
3 scallions, chopped
2 cloves garlic, chopped
1 egg, at room temperature, beaten
1/4 cup chopped fresh Italian parsley
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
3 tablespoons dried mint
1 1/2 tablespoons dried oregano
2 teaspoons kosher salt
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 (25-ounce) jar marinara sauce
2 cinnamon sticks
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon

Steps:

  • For the meatballs: In a large bowl, mix together the lamb, couscous, scallions, garlic, egg, parsley, olive oil, mint, oregano, salt, cumin, cinnamon, and cayenne pepper. Form the mixture into 15 to 16 (2-inch diameter) meatballs.
  • For the sauce: Heat the oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the meatballs and cook until brown on all sides, about 6 minutes. Add the marinara sauce, cinnamon sticks, and ground cinnamon. Bring the sauce to a boil and reduce the heat to a simmer. Cook, turning occasionally, until the meatballs are cooked through, 10 to 12 minutes. Discard the cinnamon sticks. Transfer the meatballs and sauce to a large bowl and serve.

GREEK LAMB & FETA MEATBALLS



Greek Lamb & Feta Meatballs image

A recipe from one of my husband's colleagues. She said she usually just uses 1 lb of meat, since that's the typical pkg size and has substituted dried oregano, basil, parsley, and mint for the fresh herbs. It was a big hit at the party. Number of meatballs depends on how big you make each one; would work as an appetizer or part of a main dish.

Provided by winkki

Categories     Lamb/Sheep

Time 20m

Yield 2 dozen (approx)

Number Of Ingredients 6

1 1/2 lbs ground lamb
4 ounces crumbled feta
3 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
1 tablespoon chopped of fresh mint
1/2 cup breadcrumbs
2 -4 cloves garlic (depending on how much you like garlic!)

Steps:

  • Combine all ingredients.
  • Shape into balls.
  • Broil for 15 min at 400 degrees.
  • Serve with rice, tabbouleh, hummus, pita, etc or with tahini dip& enjoy!

Nutrition Facts : Calories 1232.5, Fat 93.9, SaturatedFat 44, Cholesterol 301.8, Sodium 1073.7, Carbohydrate 23.5, Fiber 1.7, Sugar 4.2, Protein 68.9

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