Greek Meatballs (Keftethes)
Ingredients
- 1 each onion, finely minced
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 kg (2 1/4 pound) lean minced beef or lamb
- 2 cup unseasoned breadcrumbs, moistened
Instructions
- 1
in about 3/4 cup warm water 2 eggs, beaten 1 1/2 tablespoons finely chopped mint (if not available use chopped, dried mint) 2 1/2 teaspoons salt Black pepper to taste 2 tablespoons Ouzo (optional) 1 1/2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh parsley Plain flour 1 cup olive oil and corn oil mixed (you may need slightly more) Fry onions with vegetable oil over low heat until golden.
- 2
Remove to a large mixing bowl.
- 3
Add meat and all other ingredients except flour and olive/corn oil mix.
- 4
Knead for about 10 minutes or until mixture is a smooth paste.
- 5
Heat the oil mix in a large frying pan to the point of fragrance.
- 6
Meanwhile, start to shape mixture into balls about the size of a large marble by rolling lightly between palms of hands, I suggest that you do them in batches of say 12 - 16, each batch being enough to space evenly but separately in the frying pan.
- 7
As each meatball is formed place them on a large plate which has been liberally covered with plain flour.
- 8
When the batch is finished lightly roll the meatball in the flour.
- 9
At this point the oil in the frying pan should be just ready.
- 10
Put the batch of meatball into the pan (Use kitchen tongs as the oil is very hot).
- 11
Start on your second batch of meatballs, make them and place them on the floured plate.
- 12
At this point it is time to turn the meatballs over and when you have completed this roll the second batch in the flour.
- 13
Now it is time to remove the first batch from the frying pan using a slotted spoon or kitchen tongs and place on paper towels to drain.
- 14
Put the second batch of meatballs into the pan to cook and carry on with the process until you have finished the mixture.
- 15
These meatballs are deliciously light and delicately flavoured and you can serve them hot, warm or cold or freeze for future use.