Greek Meatballs With Grated Potato Recipes

GREEK MEATBALLS RECIPE (KEFTEDES/ KEFTETHES)

Steps:

• To prepare this traditional Greek meatballs recipe (keftedes), add all the ingredients into a large bowl and mix well (for about 5-10 minutes), squeezing with your hands, to allow the flavours to blend. Cover the bowl with some plastic wrap and let it rest in the fridge for 1 hour.
• Turn the mixture for the keftedes out of the fridge and roll into meatballs the size of a walnut (or bigger if you prefer). If you're frying them, dredge the rolled meatballs lightly in flour making sure to shake off any excess. Fry until nicely browned on all sides.
• The traditional way of cooking Greek meatballs (keftedes) is frying them. Fry the keftedes in batches of 10-15 at a time, until nicely browned on all sides.
• Instead of frying you can bake / grill the keftedes in the oven. Preheat the oven at 200C, place the un-floured keftedes on greased baking sheet about an inch apart. Bake for about 20 minutes, turning the meatballs upside down midway through cooking time. The grilled version is much lighter than the fried so theres not excuse to not trying it now!
• Keftedes (Greek meatballs) are ideally served as an appetizer (meze) with some creamy tzatziki sauce and pita breads or as a main course with some basmati rice and a Greek salad. Enjoy!

MEATBALLS AND POTATOES: A TRADITIONAL AND DELICIOUS GREEK DISH

Steps:

• Cut the potatoes into chunky wedges.
• Put the potatoes in a deep baking pan and add the olive oil and the turmeric, coriander, cumin, pepper, and salt.
• Mix well with your hands to coat the potatoes with the oil and spice mixture.
• Remove the crust from the bread slices and cut into chunks (stale bread is better than fresh for these meatballs). Add the bread chunks into a food processor and pulse to create breadcrumbs.
• Next, preheat the oven to 400F/180C fan/gas mark 6.
• Put the breadcrumbs, ground beef, egg, olive oil, mustard, and the fenugreek in a large bowl.
• Season with salt and pepper, then knead, using your hands for 2-3 minutes so everything is combined.
• Shape large meatballs with your palms. It doesn't matter if they're perfect balls - they will still taste great!
• Arrange the meatballs on top of the coated potatoes and cover the pan with foil - make sure the pan is completely covered in foil.
• Bake in the middle of the oven for 1 hour. Remove the foil and bake for another 30 minutes or so, depending on how golden you like your potatoes.
• Serve with a Greek salad and tzatziki

KEFTEDES - GREEK MEATBALLS

Steps:

• Heat oil in a deep-fryer or large saucepan to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C).
• Place the lemon juice in a large bowl. Coarsely grate the potatoes into the lemon juice, stirring well to prevent browning. Stir in the ground beef, onion, bread crumbs, parsley, mint, cinnamon, lemon zest, eggs, and salt and pepper. Mix well, and shape into oblong balls about 1 inch thick and 2 inches wide.
• Place meatballs in hot oil in batches; do not crowd. Fry until golden brown, and cooked through, about 6 to 7 minutes per batch. Serve with lemon wedges.

MARGARET'S KEFTEDES (GREEK MEATBALLS)

Steps:

• Moisten the bread pieces with the milk in a large bowl, and set aside. Mince the garlic in a food processor, then add the onion, mint, salt, and pepper. Process until the onion is finely chopped. Add the onion mixture to the bowl with the moist bread, along with the beef, lamb, and eggs. Mix with your hands until thoroughly blended.
• Roll the mixture into balls measuring 1 1/2 to 2 inches in diameter. Place the flour in a shallow pan, and roll the balls in the flour to coat. Shake off any excess flour, and place the meatballs onto a plate or baking sheet, pressing to flatten slightly. This will keep them from rolling away.
• Heat 1 inch of oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the meatballs, 8 or 10 at a time, and cook until nicely browned on the outside, and no longer pink in the center, about 10 minutes; drain on a paper towel-lined plate. Repeat with remaining meatballs.

GREEK MEATBALLS WITH GRATED POTATO

Steps:

• To make the meatballs: Take one large potato and wash it.
• Do not yet peel it.
• Put the potato into a saucepan of water, bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer 20 minutes.
• Remove the potato from the hot water and let cool.
• In a large mixing bowl put the meat.
• Add the onion, salt, garlic, oregano, mint, black pepper and cinnamon.
• Next, peel the potato and grate it.
• Add the grated potato to the meat and spices and mix everything together.
• Chill in the fridge for about one hour until the meat has gotten cold.
• Make small meatballs and fry in a nonstick frying pan, on medium heat, in a little olive oil, until well browned.
• Cook in batches, remove the meatballs and drain on paper towels. Note: I have also used frozen (and thawed) shredded hash browns in here rather than cooking a whole potato. This will speed up the recipe a little bit.
• Greek Yogurt Salad: Mix together the yogurt and water and stir until blended.
• If you want the yogurt thick, add less water, if you want it more thin, add more water. I often like to add several Tablespoons of olive oil here, but that is optional.
• Add the remaining ingredients and mix well.
• Chill in the fridge until serving time.

GREEK MEATBALLS

Steps:

• In a medium skillet, sweat onion and garlic in 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat until translucent, about 2 minutes. Let cool and set aside.
• Wring the excess milk out of the soaked bread cubes.
• Place all ingredients, except flour and garnishes, in a large mixing bowl and combine by hand until fully incorporated. Form into little meatballs (about 1-ounce each).
• In a large skillet, heat remaining oil over medium heat. Dredge, or roll the meatballs in flour, and fry in the skillet until golden brown, about 5 minutes. Remove from the pan and place on paper towels to drain the excess fat.
• Place on platter and garnish with lemon wedges and torn mint leaves.