My Big Fat Greek Meatballs
photo by The Spice Guru
- Ready In:
- 45mins
- Ingredients:
- 31
- Yields:
-
30 meatballs
- Serves:
- 5-6
ingredients
-
MAIN INGREDIENTS
- 453.59 g fresh ground lamb (other ground meat may be substituted)
- 118.29 ml finely minced onions or 14.79-29.58 ml minced onion flakes
- 1-3 minced garlic clove
- 118.29 ml finely minced pimiento-free green olives or 118.29 ml kalamata olive
- 236.59 ml crumbled feta cheese or 236.59 ml grated parmesan cheese
- 29.58 ml fresh lemon juice (juice of 1 lemon)
- 29.58 ml chopped fresh parsley or 7.39 ml parsley flakes
- 14.79 ml chopped of fresh mint or 4.92 ml dried mint
- 6.16 ml fine sea salt
- 2.46 ml finely grated fresh lemon zest (yellow rind only)
- 1.23 ml ground allspice
- 1.23 ml ground cinnamon
- 4.92 ml ground cumin
- 2.46 ml ground nutmeg
- 2.46 ml crushed dried oregano
- 2.46 ml fresh ground black pepper
- 1.23 ml white pepper
-
REMAINING INGREDIENTS
- 1 large egg, beaten
- 14.79 ml flour
- 118.29 ml fresh breadcrumb (crust removed)
- 59.14 ml milk
- 29.57 29.57 ml Pernod or 4.92 ml anise extract
- olive oil (for frying)
- flour (to coat before frying)
-
TZATZIKI SAUCE
- 236.59 ml plain yogurt
- 118.29 ml cucumber, finely chopped
- 29.58 ml chopped fresh dill or 2 teapoons dried dill
- 3.69 ml chopped of fresh mint or 1.23 ml dried mint
- 2.46 ml finely minced fresh garlic
- 9.85-14.78 ml thinly snipped green onion tops (optional)
- 1.23 ml finely grated fresh lemon zest (yellow rind only)
directions
- TRADITIONAL PREPARATION METHOD: INTO a large bowl add the MAIN INGREDIENTS without mixing (1 lb fresh ground lamb (other ground meat may be added and/or substituted), 1/2 cup finely minced onions or 1-2 tablespoons minced onion flakes, 1-3 minced garlic clove, 1/2 cup finely minced pimiento-free olives (green or kalamata), 1 cup crumbled feta cheese or 1 cup grated parmesan cheese, 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (juice of 1 lemon), 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley or 1 1/2 teaspoons parsley flakes, 1 tablespoon chopped fresh mint or 1 teaspoon dried mint, 1 1/4 teaspoons fine sea salt, 1/2 teaspoon finely grated fresh lemon zest, 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice, 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1 teaspoon ground cumin, 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg, 1/2 teaspoon crushed dried oregano, 1/2 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper, 1/4 teaspoon white pepper; BEAT a one egg with 1 tablespoon flour in a small bowl; POUR 1/4 cup milk and 1/8 cup ouzo or Pernod (or 1 teaspoon anise extract) into the egg and flour mixture; ADD 1/2 cup bread crumbs; ALLOW breadcrumbs to soak; ADD soaked bread crumb mixture to meat mixture; MIX well; CHILL meatball mixture until very cold (40 degrees F).
- ALTERNATE QUICK METHOD: INTO large food processor add 1/4 cup milk, 1 egg, 1 tablespoon flour, 1/8 cup ouzo (or 1 teaspoon anise extract) and 1/2 cup bread crumbs; PROCESS; ADD the MAIN INGREDIENTS except for ground lamb and feta cheese; PROCESS; ADD ground lamb; PROCESS (Feta cheese may be added to mixture now and processed or folded into after); REMOVE meat from processor; CHILL meatball mixture until very cold (you may use freezer).
- ROLL meat mixture into walnut-sized balls.
- SCANT pour 1 cup flour into a tear-resistant bag.
- PLACE uncooked meatballs into a bag containing flour.
- GENTLY shake a few meatballs at a time in bag with flour.
- REPEAT procedure until all meatballs are coated with flour.
- FRY flour-coated meatballs in at least 1/2 inch hot olive oil until browned and fully cooked, about 1/2 batch at a time (meatballs may be deep-fried in a deep-fryer, or in an electric wok, which is the easiest method providing the best results).
- COMBINE the TZATZIKI SAUCE recipe ingredients and chill. Use this as a sauce, dip or dressing for gyros, or pita sandwiches with sliced cold meatballs in pita bread, or rolled in a flatbread with fresh tomatoes and onions. Delicious!
- Serve and say, "OPA"!
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Reviews
-
Was very delicious! I cut the meatballs in half and put them in pita pockets with the sauce and tomatoes, the bf added onions to his. To think it cost less then going out and spending $20. Will be using this receipe again. I used the traditional mixing method and anise extract as a subsitute, that was the only sub. Give it a try!
RECIPE SUBMITTED BY
The Spice Guru
United States
Mathematician... Metaphysician... Magician in a test kitchen