Meatballs Simmered With Leeks Keftedes Prassoselino Recipes

KOFTEDES GREEK MEATBALLS

Steps:

• If serving in bowls as suggested in this post, first prepare the Greek salad according to this recipe (dress salad later, if you prefer) and Tzatziki sauce according to this recipe. Set aside or refrigerate for now.
• In a large skillet like this one, heat 2 tbsp Private Reserve olive oil over medium heat. Add onions and garlic and cook until golden and translucent, stirring regularly. Transfer the onions and garlic mixture to a large mixing bowl to cool. Set skillet aside for later.
• Wring the excess milk out of the soaked bread. Add the bread to the mixing bowl.
• To the mixing bowl add the ground beef and lamb (or pork), 1 egg, fresh mint, spices, salt and pepper, and 1 tbsp lemon zest. Mix by hand until until mixture is fully incorporated.
• Form the meat mixture into balls (each the size of a heaping tablespoon.) Roll meatballs into the flour to lightly coat and place them on a large tray for now.
• In the large skillet you used earlier, add 1/4 cup Private Reserve olive oil. Heat over medium-high. Turn heat to medium and add the meatballs to cook (do this in batches if you need to.) Cook meatballs for 10 minutes or so, turning occasionally, until fully cooked and well-crusted on all sides.
• With a slotted spoon, remove meatballs from skillet onto paper towels to drain any excess fat. Meanwhile, carefully discard most of the cooking fat from skillet (best to dump into a tin can until cooled). Return skillet to stove-top over medium heat.
• Whisk the 1 egg yolk with the chicken broth and lemon juice. Add to cooking skillet with the remaining lemon zest, then add the meatballs back in. Cook over medium heat for another 5 minutes until the lemon sauce thickens.
• Serve hot in bowls with pita bread, Greek salad and Tzatziki sauce. Or serve in pita pockets as sandwiches, if you prefer.

MEATBALLS SIMMERED WITH LEEKS (KEFTEDES PRASSOSELINO)

Steps:

• Make the Meatballs:.
• Combine all the meatball ingredients in a large bowl and knead well.
• Cover and refrigerate for an hour.
• When ready to cook them, shape into golf ball sized portions (around 30).
• Place a large, heavy skillet over medium heat.
• Add the meatballs and brown them on all sides; do this in batches (do not over-cook, they will cook further with the leeks).
• Remove meat to a plate and pour off all the accumulated fat in the skillet.
• Reduce heat to low, add 4 tablespoons of butter and scrape up any bits of fond.
• Add the leeks and celery and slowly saute, stirring occasionally for about 8 minutes.
• Season with salt, pepper and paprika.
• Add the meatballs and stir everything together.
• Add just enough water to come about two thirds of the way up the meatballs.
• Cover and simmer over very low heat for about an hour, checking occasionally to make sure there is sufficient liquid to prevent scorching.
• If you like (it does add amazing richness to the dish), swirl two tablespoons of butter in the pan, tipping it to distribute the butter throughout the meat and leeks.
• Remove from heat, rest briefly, and serve.

KEFTEDES: GREEK MEATBALLS

Steps:

• Dunk bread quickly in milk and press the liquid out to dampen the bread.
• Combine the beef, bread, onion, garlic, oregano, mint, vinegar, eggs, nutmeg, salt, and pepper in a bowl and mix well. Take a large spoon of the mixture and roll into a ball until all the mixture has been rolled.
• In a saute pan, add the olive oil and bring it to 360-degrees F for frying. Dust the balls in flour and add to the oil. Brown on all sides, leaving room in the pan to roll them around. Pull from the pan and drain on paper towels.
• Serve with pita and cucumber yogurt sauce.
• Combine all ingredients in a bowl and mix well.

KEFTEDES (MEATBALLS)

Steps:

• Put the ground beef in a large bowl and add the grated onion and bread. Mix thoroughly, being careful not to overmix. Add the eggs, mint, oregano, salt and pepper and mix thoroughly. Be careful not to overmix.
• Refrigerate the meatball mixture for 30 minutes. Form into golf ball-size meatballs, flatten and coat both sides lightly with flour. In batches, fry the meatballs over medium to medium-high heat in a large pan with the oil until golden brown and cooked through, 2-5 minutes per side.

KEFTEDES - GREEK MEATBALLS

Steps:

• Heat oil in a deep-fryer or large saucepan to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C).
• Place the lemon juice in a large bowl. Coarsely grate the potatoes into the lemon juice, stirring well to prevent browning. Stir in the ground beef, onion, bread crumbs, parsley, mint, cinnamon, lemon zest, eggs, and salt and pepper. Mix well, and shape into oblong balls about 1 inch thick and 2 inches wide.
• Place meatballs in hot oil in batches; do not crowd. Fry until golden brown, and cooked through, about 6 to 7 minutes per batch. Serve with lemon wedges.