Soutzoukakia
| January 24, 2017 | Category: | 0 Comment2 slices thick dense bread (crusts removed)
1/2 cup dry red wine
1 lb ground lean beef
1/2 cup finely chopped onion
2 garlic cloves, crushed
salt and pepper
flour (for dredging)
2 tablespoons olive oil
Sauce:
2 lbs fresh tomatoes
1 tablespoon vinegar
1 bay leaf
3/4 teaspoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 tablespoon chopped celery
1 egg
2 tablespoons chopped parsley
2 tablespoons grated cheese parmesan
1/2 teaspoon oregano
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1/2 tablespoon chopped parsley
Soak the bread in 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, parsley,onion, garlic, egg,grated cheese, cumin, and salt and pepper to taste. Mix the ingredients until thoroughly blended. Cover and chill for 1 to 2 hours.
STEP 2:
You can use warm wet 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. (or, 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).
STEP 3:
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,mashed potatoes and green beans mixed with tomato pieces and crispy bacon.Enjoy!