medtran49
Forum GOD!
These can be served on their own, in pitas, with a Greek tomato sauce and/or tzatziki. They can be served hot or at room temperature.
INGREDIENTS
1 lb ground beef
1⁄2 lb ground pork
OR 1-1/2 pounds ground lamb
1 large onion, finely minced
2 garlic cloves, finely minced
1/2 tsp dried oregano
1-1/2 Tbsp finely chopped fresh mint
Salt and pepper
2 large slices dense white bread or 1/4-3/8 cup fresh bread crumbs from the freezer
1/4 cup milk
1 Tbsp red wine vinegar
1 egg
1 ounce ouzo liqueur (optional)
flour (for dredging)
oil (for frying)
NOTES: The meatball mixture is very soft. I use a scoop that's about 1 Tbsp to make the meatballs and get about 3 dozen usually. They can be baked or fried.
While the ouzo is optional, it does add an extra flavor to the meatball that is missing if you don't use it. You can also use the ouzo to make saganaki (fried and flamed cheese) as part of a mezze.
DIRECTIONS
Remove crusts from bread slices and tear into small pieces. Mix with milk to moisten.
Add first 6 ingredients to bowl, plus salt and pepper to taste. Mix. Lightly squeeze excess milk out of bread and add to meat mixture. Lightly beat egg and add to meat mixture. Add ouzo. Mix gently to combine. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour before using. Can be made the night before. Cover and refrigerate.
Shape into walnut-sized balls. The easiest way is to use a scoop. Dredge meatballs in flour, and saute in hot olive oil until meatballs are cooked and browned on all sides. Alternatively, they can be baked at 400 for 20-25 minutes. If you bake, they don't need to be dredged in flour.
Serve as desired.