Soutzoukakia Greek Meatballs In Tomato Sauce Recipes

MEATBALLS IN TOMATO SAUCE (SOUTZOUKAKIA)

Steps:

• Heat a good splash of olive oil in a cooking pot, over high heat.
• Caramelize the onion and garlic.
• Pour in the wine. Add the allspice and bay leaves. Wait until wine evaporates completely.
• Add the tomato paste, the canned tomatoes and cook for 1-2 minutes stirring constantly with a wooden spoon.
• Reduce the heat to medium. Add 4 cups of water, the sugar, ground cumin and season with salt and pepper. Simmer partly covered for about 30-40 minutes.
• Meanwhile, start making the meatballs.
• Preheat oven to 200°C / 392°F.
• In a mixing bowl, combine all of the ingredients for the meatballs.
• Knead the mixture for 2-3 minutes for everything to incorporate well. It should feel very soft and moist. And just firm enough to hold some shape. Otherwise, you may add another splash of water to it.
• Divide mixture to about 14 parts. Shape each into a round ball and then give it a bit of oval shape. Place in a baking dish or pan that fits the meatballs and is deep enough to include the sauce as well.
• Once you placed all the meatballs in the pan or baking dish, pour the sauce on top all over using a ladle. Bake for about 40-50 minutes. Flipping the meatballs at least once so they cook evenly all over.
• Serve with rice, pasta, or potatoes. I added some toasted pine nuts and chopped fresh parsley on top. You can also serve them with some spicy red pepper flakes and a spoonful of Greek yogurt on top.

SOUTZOUKAKIA (GREEK MEATBALLS IN TOMATO SAUCE)

Steps:

• For the meatballs, mix the ground beef, garlic, cumin, white wine, bread (squeeze out the wine and reserve to be used in the sauce) and egg.
• Season to taste with salt and pepper.
• Shape into approximately 30 sausage shaped patties, roll in flour and fry in oil until cooked through.
• Remove from pan, set aside on a plate covered with paper towels.
• For the sauce, bring the tomatoes stock and butter to a boil.
• Add the wine and the seasoning and simmer until sauce beginns to thicken.
• When the sauce starts to thicken, add the soutzoukakias and simmer for a further ten minutes.

SOUTZOUKAKIA (GREEK MEATBALLS IN A TOMATO SAUCE)

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.

SOUTZOUKAKIA (GREEK MEATBALLS IN A TOMATO SAUCE)

Steps:

• In a medium sized bowl, combine first 11 ingredients; stir well.
• Shape mixture into 30 (1 1/4") meatballs.
• Place meatballs on rack of a broiler pan coated with cooking spray, and broil 5 1/2 inches from heat (with door partially open) 8-10 minutes or until browned, turning after 6 minutes.
• Drain and pat dry with paper towels.
• In a large skillet, combine tomato sauce and next 4 ingredients, and bring them to boil.
• Add meatballs; cover, reduce heat, and simmer 10 minutes or until thoroughly heated.
• Serve over rice.