Best Keftedakia Greek Mint And Ouzo Flavored Meatballs Recipes

KEFTEDAKIA (GREEK MEATBALLS)

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.

MINT AND OUZO FLAVORED MEATBALLS: KEFTEDAKIA

Steps:

• In a bowl, soak the bread pieces in the ouzo until the ouzo is absorbed, about 5 minutes.
• In a skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of the oil over medium-high heat. Add the onions and cook, stirring, for 3 minutes. Add the garlic and cook, stirring, for 30 seconds. Remove from the heat and let cool.
• In a large bowl, combine the meat and onions. Squeeze the bread dry and add to the mixture. Add the remaining ingredients except the flour and Essence, and mix well with your hands. With wet hands, shape the mixture into small balls about the size of a walnut.
• In a shallow dish, combine the flour and Essence. Roll the meatballs in the flour to lightly coat on all sides. Place on a baking sheet and refrigerate until firm, about 1 hour.
• Preheat the oven to 200 degrees F.
• In a large skillet, heat the remaining 1/4 cup of oil over high heat. Add the meatballs in batches, being careful not to overcrowd and cook until evenly browned and cooked through, shaking the pan from time to time, 8 to 10 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon, drain on paper towels, and place in a baking dish in the oven to keep warm. Cook the remaining meatballs, adding more oil as needed to the pan.
• Make the sauce in a separate pan.
• In a separate pan, add the olive oil and heat. When the oil is hot, add the onion and saute for 2 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds. Remove from the heat and carefully add the ouzo. Return the mixture to the heat and flambe. Cook until the flames die down. When the flames go out, add the herbs and cook for 1 minute. Add the lemon juice and pour over the meatballs.
• Arrange on a platter, sprinkle with the chopped herbs and grated Kefalotyri, and serve hot with glasses of ouzo.
• Combine all ingredients thoroughly and store in an airtight jar or container.
• Recipe from "New New Orleans Cooking", by Emeril Lagasse and Jessie Tirsch. Published by William and Morrow, 1993.

KEFTEDAKIA - GREEK MEATBALLS

Steps:

• Add the first seven ingredients together and mix well.
• Roll the mixture into small balls approximately the size of large walnuts.
• Roll the balls in flour and then deep fry them for 15 minutes.
• Serve and enjoy!

OUZO MEATBALLS

Steps:

• Fry onions in olive oil until golden.
• Mix fried onion and all other ingredients together. For this step I use a food processor provided of a spiral dough hook.
• Grease a baking mold with olive oil.
• Grease your hands and shape small balls of about 2''.
• Bake under the grill for about 15 Minutes or until lightly browned und through.
• Serve warm or cold.
• Note: After cooking or just before finishing you can add to the mold the content of 1 tin canned tomatoes, fried onion, parsley, salt and pepper. Bake until boiling and serve.