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Food Guide to Cooking

Authentic Greek Soutzoukakia recipe: Perfectly spiced meatballs in tomato sauce

Also known as Smyrna meatballs, this recipe is perfect for a winter night dinner



PREP TIME 45 m
COOK TIME 30m
SERVES 4
Ingredients

    Meatballs:

    500 gms grounded beef

    50 ml olive oil

    2 garlic cloves

    200 gms white sandwich bread

    100 ml full fat milk

    1 whole egg

    10 gms salt

    5 gms cumin powder

    5 gms black pepper

    20 gms fresh mint

    100 gms all-purpose flour 

    50 ml olive oil

    Tomato sauce:

    1 medium white onion

    5 gms tomato paste

    500 gms canned tomatoes

    250 ml water

    2 bay leaves

    10 gms sugar

    2 cinnamon sticks

    To garnish

    Greek yoghurt

    Olive oil

Ingredient Substitution Guide

METHOD

Chop some white onions and add, along with some extra virgin oil, to a pan over a medium flame. Sauté them until they turn golden. Add sugar to caramelise the onions. Now, pour in some water and add chopped tomatoes. Let it boil. Add cinnamon stick and bay leaf as well and let it reduce. Once done, keep it aside.

Next, take some white bread and blend it in a mixer. Then transfer it to a mixing bowl. Add minced beef. Blend garlic, mint leaves, and olive oil and pour it into the mixing bowl. Add milk, salt, pepper, cumin powder, and a whole egg. Mix until everything is combined.

Make narrow long meatballs and dust them with some flour. The best results for mixing are always achieved by using your hands.

Heat oil in a pan over a medium flame and add the meatballs one by one. Deep fry them until they turn golden.

Finally, add the deep-fried meatballs to the tomato sauce. Cook slowly for 5 minutes, stirring and ensure they do not stick.

Serve with basmati rice or mashed potato puree. With its rich sauce, it can be served as a main dish or as a starter for a dinner party.

For garnishing, drizzle some Greek yoghurt and olive oil.

Chef Athanasios Poulakidas
He is the Sous Chef at Anasa Greek Restaurant, Conrad Dubai.

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