**Keftedes (Greek Meatballs): A Journey Through Culinary Delights**
Embark on a culinary adventure to the heart of Greek cuisine with keftedes, the epitome of flavor-packed meatballs. These tantalizing orbs, crafted with a harmonious blend of minced meat, aromatic herbs, and a symphony of spices, promise an unforgettable gastronomic experience. In this article, we present a diverse collection of keftedes recipes, each offering a unique interpretation of this classic dish. From the traditional keftedes made with lamb or beef to innovative vegetarian and seafood variations, our selection caters to every palate and dietary preference. Discover the secrets behind the perfect keftedes, including expert tips on selecting the finest ingredients, achieving the ideal texture, and creating delectable sauces that elevate the flavors to new heights. Unleash your inner chef and embark on a culinary journey that will leave your taste buds dancing with delight.
**Inside the Article:**
1. **Classic Keftedes Recipe:**
- A step-by-step guide to creating authentic Greek meatballs using a combination of lamb and beef, seasoned with a vibrant blend of herbs and spices.
2. **Vegetarian Keftedes Recipe:**
- Explore the plant-based side of keftedes with this recipe featuring a hearty mix of lentils, vegetables, and aromatic spices, resulting in a delicious and nutritious meatless alternative.
3. **Seafood Keftedes Recipe:**
- Dive into the depths of culinary creativity with seafood keftedes, made with succulent shrimp and flaky white fish, bound together with a medley of zesty herbs and breadcrumbs.
4. **Keftedes Sauce Recipes:**
- Discover a trio of tantalizing sauces to complement your keftedes: a classic tomato sauce, a creamy tzatziki sauce, and a spicy harissa sauce, each adding a distinct layer of flavor to the meatballs.
5. **Keftedes Serving Suggestions:**
- Learn how to elevate your keftedes experience with a variety of serving suggestions, including traditional Greek accompaniments like pita bread, tzatziki sauce, and fresh vegetables.
6. **Tips and Tricks for Perfect Keftedes:**
- Unlock the secrets to achieving perfectly tender and flavorful keftedes with expert tips on selecting the right ingredients, shaping the meatballs, and cooking them to perfection.
MARGARET'S KEFTEDES (GREEK MEATBALLS)
This is my yia yia's recipe--a family favorite straight from the village of Kyparissia. Serve as an appetizer or with tzatziki, Greek salata, and pita or pasta for a full meal. They taste best served at room temp and make for wonderful leftovers. If you don't care for lamb, try using all beef instead.
Provided by Shandeen Gemanis
Categories World Cuisine Recipes European Greek
Time 55m
Yield 4
Number Of Ingredients 12
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.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 521.6 calories, Carbohydrate 28.6 g, Cholesterol 259.1 mg, Fat 31.5 g, Fiber 1.7 g, Protein 29.7 g, SaturatedFat 9.1 g, Sodium 892.6 mg, Sugar 3 g
KEFTEDES - GREEK MEATBALLS
Here is a fried Greek meatball - Cyprian style. These are made with grated potatoes; a little different than the islands of Greece. Squeeze some lemon on them and have a taste of Cyprus.
Provided by Constantina
Categories World Cuisine Recipes European Greek
Time 50m
Yield 6
Number Of Ingredients 14
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.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 626.7 calories, Carbohydrate 46.9 g, Cholesterol 153.8 mg, Fat 35.3 g, Fiber 8.1 g, Protein 33.6 g, SaturatedFat 9.6 g, Sodium 1977 mg, Sugar 4.4 g
GREEK MEATBALLS IN AVGOLEMONO SAUCE (KEFTEDES ME AVGOLEMONO)
Looks yummy!! This recipe is especially popular in the Agrinion area (NW Greece). It uses a version of Avgolemono soup as a sauce for the meatballs or keftedes. I am leaving the metric measures so the recipe is exactly as I found it. The site does not state how many it serves or what the time is for prep, so I am guessing here. I am also assuming that minced beef is the same as ground beef in the U.S. From realgreekrecipes.blogspot.com. Posted for ZWT6.
Provided by Scoutie
Categories Meat
Time 1h10m
Yield 4-6 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 15
Steps:
- Meatballs:.
- Apart from the flour and the vegetable oil, mix all the other ingredients together well.
- Make medium-size balls from the mixture.
- Roll the balls in flour and then deep fry them for approximately 15 minutes.
- Sauce:.
- In a heavy-bottomed pan, heat the oil, then add the flour and stir well for 3 minutes.
- Add 1 litre water and mix well.
- Add the meatballs and simmer for 30 minutes, until the sauce is slightly thick.
- Beat the egg yolk thoroughly.
- Add the lemon juice to the egg and keep beating.
- Add 5-6 tablespoons of the sauce to the egg & lemon mixture and stir well.
- Add this mixture to the meatballs in the sauce, shake the pan and remove from the heat.
- Serve with a sprinkling of pepper and fresh mint on top.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 1688, Fat 146.4, SaturatedFat 29.3, Cholesterol 222.9, Sodium 277.9, Carbohydrate 43, Fiber 4.4, Sugar 2.4, Protein 53.7
KEFTEDES (MEATBALLS)
Provided by Food Network
Categories main-dish
Time 1h25m
Yield 2 to 3 servings
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Put the ground beef in a large bowl and add the grated onion and bread. Mix thoroughly, being careful not to overmix. Add the eggs, mint, oregano, salt and pepper and mix thoroughly. Be careful not to overmix.
- Refrigerate the meatball mixture for 30 minutes. Form into golf ball-size meatballs, flatten and coat both sides lightly with flour. In batches, fry the meatballs over medium to medium-high heat in a large pan with the oil until golden brown and cooked through, 2-5 minutes per side.
Tips:
- Use fresh, high-quality ingredients. This will make a big difference in the flavor of your meatballs.
- Don't overwork the meat mixture. Overworking the meat will make the meatballs tough.
- Use a combination of ground beef and pork. This will give the meatballs a more complex flavor and texture.
- Add some moisture to the meat mixture. This can be done with eggs, milk, or bread crumbs.
- Season the meat mixture well. Use a variety of herbs and spices to give the meatballs flavor.
- Chill the meat mixture before cooking. This will help the meatballs hold their shape.
- Cook the meatballs over medium heat. This will help them cook evenly and prevent them from burning.
- Don't overcrowd the pan when cooking the meatballs. This will prevent them from cooking evenly.
- Serve the meatballs with your favorite sauce. They can be served with tomato sauce, tzatziki sauce, or even just a squeeze of lemon juice.
Conclusion:
Keftedes, or Greek meatballs, are a delicious and versatile dish that can be enjoyed as an appetizer, main course, or side dish. They are easy to make and can be customized to your liking. Whether you prefer them fried, baked, or grilled, keftedes are sure to be a hit with your family and friends. So next time you're looking for a quick and easy meal, give keftedes a try. You won't be disappointed!
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