SOUTZOUKAKIA (GREEK MEATBALLS IN A TOMATO SAUCE)

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Soutzoukakia (Greek Meatballs in a Tomato Sauce) image

Lovely, delicately seasoned meatballs in a tomato sauce done in the style of the Greeks from Smyrna. This is a warming, hearty dish, great year round, but especially in winter.

Provided by evelynathens

Categories     One Dish Meal

Time 1h15m

Yield 4 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 20

2 slices thick dense bread (crusts removed)
1/2 cup dry red wine
1 lb ground lean meat (beef or veal)
1/2 cup finely chopped onion
2 garlic cloves, crushed
1 egg
2 tablespoons chopped parsley
2 tablespoons grated kefalograviera cheese (parmesan makes an excellent substitute) or 2 tablespoons mizithra cheese (parmesan makes an excellent substitute)
1/2 teaspoon oregano
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
salt and pepper
flour (for dredging)
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 lbs fresh tomatoes
1 tablespoon vinegar
1 garlic clove, chopped
1 bay leaf
3/4 teaspoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

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.

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