Moms Greek Meatballs Recipes

GREEK MEATBALLS RECIPE (KEFTEDES/ KEFTETHES)

Steps:

• To prepare this traditional Greek meatballs recipe (keftedes), add all the ingredients into a large bowl and mix well (for about 5-10 minutes), squeezing with your hands, to allow the flavours to blend. Cover the bowl with some plastic wrap and let it rest in the fridge for 1 hour.
• Turn the mixture for the keftedes out of the fridge and roll into meatballs the size of a walnut (or bigger if you prefer). If you're frying them, dredge the rolled meatballs lightly in flour making sure to shake off any excess. Fry until nicely browned on all sides.
• The traditional way of cooking Greek meatballs (keftedes) is frying them. Fry the keftedes in batches of 10-15 at a time, until nicely browned on all sides.
• Instead of frying you can bake / grill the keftedes in the oven. Preheat the oven at 200C, place the un-floured keftedes on greased baking sheet about an inch apart. Bake for about 20 minutes, turning the meatballs upside down midway through cooking time. The grilled version is much lighter than the fried so theres not excuse to not trying it now!
• Keftedes (Greek meatballs) are ideally served as an appetizer (meze) with some creamy tzatziki sauce and pita breads or as a main course with some basmati rice and a Greek salad. Enjoy!

GREEK MEATBALLS WITH TZATZIKI SAUCE

Steps:

• Add all the meatball ingredients to a large bowl. combine the ingredients until they are all mixed together. Form the mixture into meatballs using approximately 2 tbsp - 1/4 cup of the turkey mixture per meatball.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees, and heat a non-stick skillet over high heat.
• Once the skillet it hot, add the meatballs. Cook for 1-2 minutes then turn them. (I like to do this to get a good crispy meatball, but you can skip this step and go straight to baking them - just be sure to add on additional baking time)
• After they have been browned on all sides, transfer to a baking sheet and place in the oven for 10-15 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F. The cooking time will vary based upon the size of the meatballs and how long you sear them in the skillet.
• While the meatballs are cooking, assemble the Tzatziki sauce by combining all the ingredients in a small bowl. Refrigerate until ready to eat.
• Serve the meatballs with the Tzatziki sauce and enjoy!

GREEK MEATBALLS

Steps:

• In a medium skillet, sweat onion and garlic in 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat until translucent, about 2 minutes. Let cool and set aside.
• Wring the excess milk out of the soaked bread cubes.
• Place all ingredients, except flour and garnishes, in a large mixing bowl and combine by hand until fully incorporated. Form into little meatballs (about 1-ounce each).
• In a large skillet, heat remaining oil over medium heat. Dredge, or roll the meatballs in flour, and fry in the skillet until golden brown, about 5 minutes. Remove from the pan and place on paper towels to drain the excess fat.
• Place on platter and garnish with lemon wedges and torn mint leaves.

MOM'S MEATBALLS

Steps:

• Mix all ingredients together lightly.
• Add to Mom's Spaghetti Sauce (posted here).
• Simmer 40 minutes.

DOM'S MOM'S TENDER MEATBALLS

Steps:

• Place all ingredients in a large bowl and mix thoroughly; let stand 1/2 hour. Shape into medium-sized meatballs. Fry gently in olive oil until lightly brown, or place on foil in a cookie sheet and bake in a 350 oven for 30 minutes.
• Gently place in your own hot spaghetti sauce and cook on medium-low heat for one hour.

CHEF ROCCO DISPIRITO'S MAMA'S MEATBALLS

Steps:

• Place the chicken stock, onion, garlic, and parsley in a blender or food processor and puree.
• In a large bowl, combine the pureed stock mix, meat, bread crumbs, egg, Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, red pepper flakes, and salt.
• Combine with hands until mixture is uniform, do not overmix.
• Put a little olive oil on your hands and form mixture into balls a little larger than golf balls.
• Pour about 1/2 inch of extra virgin olive oil in straight sided, 10-inch-wide saute pan and heat over medium-high flame.
• Add the meatballs to the pan, working in batches if necessary, and brown meatballs, turning once.
• This should take about 10-15 minutes.
• While meatballs are browning, heat the marinara sauce in a large pot.
• Transfer the meatballs to the pot with the marinara sauce and simmer for one hour.
• Serve alone or over your favorite pasta.

MOM'S GREEK MEATBALLS

Steps:

• Cook chopped onion until transparent in a small amount of oil.
• Add tomato sauce and water.
• salt and pepper to taste.
• Continue to simmer over medium low heat.
• Bring a large saucepan full of water to boil.
• Add small amount of salt.
• Combine all meatball ingredients by hand in a large bowl.
• Shape into meatballs (the size is up to you).
• Drop meatballs into boiling water.
• Cook until the meatballs float to the surface (about 5 minutes), then transfer into the tomato sauce and continue to cook for 5 minutes.
• Serve over rice with a dollop of sour cream.