Mediterranean Meatball Pita Sandwiches Recipes

MEDITERRANEAN MEATBALL SANDWICHES

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine onion, parsley, salt and pepper. Add beef; mix lightly but thoroughly. Shape into four 4x2-in. oblong patties., Grill patties, covered, over medium heat or broil 4 in. from heat 4-6 minutes on each side or until a thermometer reads 160°. Serve on pitas with tzatziki sauce and toppings as desired.

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.

MEDITERRANEAN TURKEY MEATBALL SANDWICHES (PITA OR WRAP)

Steps:

• Combine turkey meatball ingredients; mix well. Shape into 18 (1 1/4") balls.
• Using skillet coated with non-stick cooking spray, cook meatballs 8 to 10 minutes or until browned and no longer pink in center; stir occasionally.
• Combine sauce ingredients.
• Place 3 meatballs in each pita half. Add lettuce and tomato. Top with sauce.
• Alternatively, place filling in a flour tortilla, and fold burrito style for a wrap!
• Serves 6.

MEATBALL PITA POCKETS

Steps:

• In a small bowl, combine cucumber, tomato, onion, olive oil, vinegar, oregano, salt and pepper. Cover and marinate in refrigerator a few hours or overnight.
• In a small bowl combine egg, bread crumbs, milk, the 2 tbsp onion, allspice and pepper to taste. Add beef and pork and mix well. Shape into 24 meatballs.
• Place meatballs in a baking dish in a single layer. Bake at 375F for 25 minutes or till done. Drain well on paper toweling.
• To assemble sandwiches, place 3 meatballs into each pita bread half. Top with some of the cucumber and tomato mixture and a little of the marinating liquid.

MEATBALL PITA SANDWICHES

Steps:

• In a small bowl, combine tomato sauce, hot sauce, ground cumin, and ground cinnamon. In another small bowl, combine yogurt, mint leaves, and lemon juice; season with salt and pepper. Fill pitas with lettuce leaves, meatballs and onion. Top with tomato and yogurt sauces and serve.

MEDITERRANEAN MEATBALLS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Line a sheet pan with parchment paper or foil.
• Combine ground beef, egg, bread crumbs, onion, garlic, rosemary, parsley, oregano, dill, coriander, salt, and pepper in a large bowl. Mix using your hands until just blended.
• Form meat mixture into balls, about 1 1/2 inches diameter, and place onto the prepared pan.
• Spray meatballs with cooking spray, place in the preheated oven, and bake until the meatballs are browned and no longer pink in the center, about 40 minutes.
• Remove meatballs from the oven and allow to cool slightly on a paper towel lined plate. Garnish with additional fresh parsley for serving.