Soutzoukakia: Greek Meatballs in Tomato Sauce 🍅
Description: This recipe for Soutzoukakia, or Greek Meatballs in Tomato Sauce, is a delightful rendition of a classic Greek dish originating from Smyrna. The meatballs are delicately seasoned and bathed in a rich tomato sauce, resulting in a warming and hearty meal perfect for any time of year, but particularly comforting during the colder months.
Key Information:
- Preparation Time: 30 minutes
- Cooking Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour and 15 minutes
- Servings: 4
- Calories per Serving: 306
Ingredients:
| Quantity | Ingredient |
|---|---|
| 2 cups | Dry red wine |
| 1/2 | Onion |
| 1 | Garlic clove |
| 1/2 | Egg |
| 2 tbsp | Parsley |
| 1 tsp | Oregano |
| 2 tsp | Ground cumin |
| 2 tbsp | Flour |
| 1/2 cup | Olive oil |
| 1 cup | Fresh tomatoes |
| 1 tbsp | Vinegar |
| 1 clove | Garlic clove |
| 1 | Bay leaf |
| 2 tsp | Sugar |
| 1 tsp | Ground cinnamon |
| 1/2 tsp | Ground cloves |
Instructions:
-
Soak Bread in Wine:
- Begin by soaking the bread in the red wine for approximately 5 minutes, or until it’s thoroughly softened.
- Once softened, squeeze out and reserve the excess wine for later use.
-
Prepare Meat Mixture:
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground meat with the wine-soaked bread, finely chopped onion, minced garlic, egg, chopped parsley, grated cheese, ground cumin, and salt and pepper to taste.
- Mix all the ingredients together until thoroughly blended.
- Cover the bowl and let the mixture chill in the refrigerator for 1 to 2 hours, allowing the flavors to meld.
-
Shape and Coat Meatballs:
- Dampen your hands slightly, then pinch off small portions of the meat mixture, roughly the size of a teaspoon or slightly larger.
- Shape the portions into oval rolls, resembling elongated and slightly flattened meatballs.
- Dredge the shaped meatballs in flour, coating them evenly.
-
Cook Meatballs:
- Heat olive oil in a large frying pan over medium heat.
- Once the oil is hot, add the meatballs to the pan and fry them until they’re golden brown on all sides, turning them occasionally to ensure even cooking.
- Alternatively, for a lighter option, you can brown the meatballs in a non-stick pan or bake them in the oven until cooked through.
-
Prepare Tomato Sauce:
- After removing the meatballs from the pan, strain the remaining oil through a fine sieve into a separate cooking pan.
- Add in the fresh tomatoes, vinegar, minced garlic clove, bay leaf, sugar, ground cinnamon, and ground cloves, along with the reserved wine from soaking the bread.
- Bring the sauce to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer until it thickens to your desired consistency.
-
Combine and Simmer:
- Once the sauce has thickened, gently place the cooked meatballs into the pan, ensuring they’re evenly coated with the sauce.
- Cover the pan and let the meatballs simmer in the sauce for approximately 15 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together beautifully.
-
Serve and Enjoy:
- Serve the Soutzoukakia hot, accompanied by your choice of side dishes such as rice, french fries, or mashed potatoes, and enjoy this delicious Greek delicacy with family and friends.
This recipe for Soutzoukakia promises to fill your kitchen with irresistible aromas and your taste buds with exquisite flavors, making it a standout dish for any occasion. Whether you’re craving a comforting meal on a chilly evening or hosting a gathering with loved ones, these Greek meatballs in tomato sauce are sure to delight all who indulge in them.
