Lemony Greek Meatballs Food

GREEK MEATBALLS AND TZATZIKI

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Place a cooling rack over 2 baking sheets for roasting the meatballs and toasting the pita.
• Soak the bread in the milk. Peel the cucumber and grate into a strainer. Salt it and let it drain for 20 minutes.
• Pour the EVOO into a bowl, then add the meat and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Squeeze out the bread and crumble between your fingers as you add it to the meat. Add the mint, onions, oregano, cinnamon, 2 of the garlic cloves, egg and 1/2 of the lemon juice, and mix to combine.
• Using a small ice cream scoop, form the meat mixture into about 24 balls and place on the baking sheet. Roast to golden brown, 15 to 18 minutes. Remove the meatballs from the oven and place the broiler on high. Char the pita under the broiler, 30 seconds to 1 minute on each side.
• Press the cucumber in the strainer to get out the excess water and add to a food processor. Then add the yogurt, dill, remaining 1 clove garlic, zest and remaining juice of the lemon. Season the sauce with cumin and salt and process until smooth.
• Serve the meatballs with the sauce and pitas.

TRADITIONAL GREEK MEATBALL SOUP (GIOUVARLAKIA/ YOUVARLAKIA) IN EGG-LEMON SAUCE RECIPE

Steps:

• To prepare this Greek meatball soup, start by making the meatballs (youvarlakia). Place all the meatball ingredients into a large bowl, knead the mixture squeezing the ingredients with your hand until smooth. Leave the mixture to rest in the fridge for 15 minutes. This will prevent the youvarlakia to break up when boiled. Form the meatballs (youvarlakia) and set them aside.
• Pour into a large pan 2 ½ cups of water and bring to the boil. Turn the heat down and gently add the meatballs (youvarlakia) in the water, put the lid back on and cook for 20-25 minutes. (The water should be enough to cover the meatballs, so add some more warm water if needed)
• To prepare the egg lemon sauce for the Greek meatball soup, crack the eggs into a bowl and whisk. Add the lemon juice and whisk well. Add into the bowl a ladle of hot soup and whisk quickly. Add one more ladle and whisk again until combined.
• Stir in the egg lemon sauce into the youvarlakia soup and cook for 2-3 minutes over medium heat, until warm but not boiling.
• Serve this extra warming Greek meatball soup, while still hot with a sprinkle of chopped parsley.
• Make sure that you do not cover any left overs until they have cooled; the sauce may curdle otherwise!!

KOFTEDES GREEK MEATBALLS

Steps:

• If serving in bowls as suggested in this post, first prepare the Greek salad according to this recipe (dress salad later, if you prefer) and Tzatziki sauce according to this recipe. Set aside or refrigerate for now.
• In a large skillet like this one, heat 2 tbsp Private Reserve olive oil over medium heat. Add onions and garlic and cook until golden and translucent, stirring regularly. Transfer the onions and garlic mixture to a large mixing bowl to cool. Set skillet aside for later.
• Wring the excess milk out of the soaked bread. Add the bread to the mixing bowl.
• To the mixing bowl add the ground beef and lamb (or pork), 1 egg, fresh mint, spices, salt and pepper, and 1 tbsp lemon zest. Mix by hand until until mixture is fully incorporated.
• Form the meat mixture into balls (each the size of a heaping tablespoon.) Roll meatballs into the flour to lightly coat and place them on a large tray for now.
• In the large skillet you used earlier, add 1/4 cup Private Reserve olive oil. Heat over medium-high. Turn heat to medium and add the meatballs to cook (do this in batches if you need to.) Cook meatballs for 10 minutes or so, turning occasionally, until fully cooked and well-crusted on all sides.
• With a slotted spoon, remove meatballs from skillet onto paper towels to drain any excess fat. Meanwhile, carefully discard most of the cooking fat from skillet (best to dump into a tin can until cooled). Return skillet to stove-top over medium heat.
• Whisk the 1 egg yolk with the chicken broth and lemon juice. Add to cooking skillet with the remaining lemon zest, then add the meatballs back in. Cook over medium heat for another 5 minutes until the lemon sauce thickens.
• Serve hot in bowls with pita bread, Greek salad and Tzatziki sauce. Or serve in pita pockets as sandwiches, if you prefer.

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!

GREEK MEATBALLS WITH LEMON AND ARUGULA

Steps:

• Place the rice in a large microwave-safe bowl and add 1 cup water. Cover with plastic wrap, pierce with a knife a few times to vent, then microwave until the water is almost absorbed, 10 minutes. Uncover and fluff the rice with a fork; let cool completely.
• Lightly beat 1 egg in a small bowl. Add to the bowl with the rice along with the lamb, beef, provolone, onion, half each of the mint and parsley, the marjoram, garlic, allspice, 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Mix with your hands until just combined (do not overmix); cover and refrigerate 30 minutes.
• Dampen your hands and form the meat into 18 balls (about 1 1/2 inches each). Bring the chicken broth to a boil in a large pot or Dutch oven. Add the meatballs, cover and cook over medium heat until tender, about 30 minutes, turning halfway through.
• Whisk the remaining 2 eggs and the lemon juice in a small bowl until frothy. Remove 1 cup broth from the pot and gradually whisk it into the egg mixture. Push the meatballs to one side of the pot; reduce the heat to low and pour the egg mixture into the other side. Cook, stirring gently, until the sauce thickens slightly, about 4 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in the remaining mint and parsley; season with salt and pepper. Serve the meatballs and sauce in shallow bowls. Top with arugula, drizzle with olive oil and season with salt and pepper.

GREEK MEATBALLS IN WINE SAUCE

Steps:

• Preheat a medium skillet over medium high heat.
• Combine meats, onion, parsley, salt, and pepper. Add butter and oil to pan and begin rolling small, bite-size balls, adding balls to pan as you roll them. Cook balls 10 to 12 minutes, shaking pan occasionally to brown equally on all sides. Deglaze pan with wine and allow wine to reduce by half, 1 or 2 minutes. Remove pan from heat and squeeze the juice of 1/2 lemon over the meatballs.
• Serve in a bowl.

LEMONY GREEK MEATBALLS

Steps:

• Finely chop the onion. Mince the garlic.
• Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil and spray the foil with vegetable oil spray.
• Heat oil in a small skillet to medium-high. Saute onion and garlic for about 3 minutes or until onion is translucent.
• In a large bowl blend egg and milk. Add breadcrumbs, 2T parsley, and oregano and mix well. Add half of the sauteed onion mixture, the lamb, and the beef to the bowl; season with salt and pepper and mix well.
• Form the mixture into 1 1/2 inch meatballs and put them on the prepared pan. Spray the tops of the meatballs with vegetable oil spray. Bake meatballs at 450 degrees for 12-15 minutes.
• While meatballs are baking, add the wine to the skillet with the remaining onion mixture and bring to a boil. Cook until liquid is reduced by half. Add lemon juice and remaining 2T parsley and cook an additional 2 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
• Place the cooked meatballs in a shallow bowl and pour the wine mixture over them. Toss gently to coat well. Serve immediately.

GIOUVARLAKIA AVGOLEMONO (RICE MEATBALLS IN EGG-LEMON SAUCE)

Steps:

• Put bread and ground beef in a bowl, and mix and knead thoroughly.
• Add rice, parsley, celery, mint, oregano, olive oil, salt, and pepper, and mix well.
• In a soup kettle, bring about 2 qt water to a furious boil.
• Keeping the water boiling, shape the meat into little round balls (about the size of walnuts) and gently drop them into the boiling water.
• Continue boiling for about 1/2 hour, and then set aside.
• Beat the whites of 3 eggs until frothy, but not stiff and shiny.
• Constantly beating, add the yolks until well mixed.
• Still beating add the lemon juice drop by drop.
• Bring butter and broth to a boil.
• Add this to the egg-lemon mixture, beating continuously.
• Place over VERY low heat, stirring in a S or X pattern (stirring round& round will cause sauce to curdle) until froth is almost broken down and sauce thickens.
• Serve hot.

GREEK MEATBALLS WITH LEMON SAUCE

Steps:

• Combine egg and milk in a large bowl. Stir in bread crums, parsley, onion, garlic, salt, mint, and a dash of pepper. Add ground meat and mix well then shape into 1-inch meatballs. Brown meatballs in the shorteneing. Cover meatballs and cook over low heat for 15-20 minutes. Drain off fat. Transfer meatballs to serving dish.
• While meatballs are cooking make the lemon sauce. by melting the butter in a small saucepan. Blend in the flour , salt, and pepper. Add the milk and cook, stirring, until thick and bubbly. Cook 1-2 minutes longer. Stir in the chooped eggs, lemon peel, and lemon juice.
• Goes very well with a nice white rice.

LEMONY LAMB MEATBALLS

Steps:

• Put the breadcrumbs in a bowl and add the milk. Leave for 5 mins, or until the milk has been absorbed. Add the lamb, lemon zest, garlic, spices, coriander stalks and plenty of seasoning. Mix everything well with your hands, then shape into meatballs, it should make about 30. Cover and chill the meatballs for at least 30 mins, or up to 24 hrs.
• Heat the oil in a large frying pan, or two smaller ones. Cook the meatballs for 8-10 mins, rolling them around the pan until nicely browned on all sides and cooked through. To serve, arrange the meatballs on a platter. If the yogurt is quite thick, add a drop of water or lemon juice. Drizzle it over the meatballs, then scatter the pomegranate seeds and coriander leaves on top.

GREEK MEATBALLS, FETA YOGURT SAUCE AND LEMON COUSCOUS

Steps:

• Sauce -- Mix the feta, yogurt, half and half, salt and pepper and lemon juice. Set to the side in a small bowl and refrigerate. Done!
• Couscous -- As I said takes literally 5 minutes to boil, stir in couscous and it's done. Don't worry about that until the dinner is done. Although you can put a pot on the stove with the broth, lemon juice, olive oil, salt and pepper and put the couscous in a measuring cup on the side, just so it is all ready.
• Cucumber and Lemon -- Now I use a English (or seedless cucumber and just dice it up and set to the side (it's done). Same with slicing the lemon. One less thing to do at the end of the meal.
• Meatballs -- Simply in a large bowl, add the feta, milk, parsley, scallions, egg, oregano, salt and pepper. I mix everything well and then add the meat last. You don't want to over mix the meat as it can make it tough. Just mix enough to be combined. Roll into golf ball size meatballs.
• Saute -- Just heat up the olive oil in a large saute pan on medium high and cook them until golden brown. Remove to a plate while you make the sauce.
• Sauce -- In the same pan with the drippings from the meatballs, add the olives, garlic and red pepper and cook just a minute. then stir in the tomatoes, oregano and parsley and cook just another minute to heat up. Add the meatballs back in to finish cooking. They will take approximately 5-10 minutes depending on the size. Just keep them on a low simmer.
• Couscous -- As the meatballs finish, cook the couscous. Just bring the broth, lemon, olive oil and seasoning up to a boil. Add the couscous, stir and remove from the heat and cover. Use foil, a lid, saran wrap, a plate, or anything you have will work just fine. Just let it set for 5 minutes and it is done.
• Serve -- Use a fork to fluff the couscous and then just spoon some on your plate. Top with 2-3 of the meatballs and some of the tomato and olive sauce, and now the good part. Finish with a spoon of the yogurt sauce over the meatballs and some diced cucumber and then squeeze the lemon.
• And trust me -- now you have a totally amazing dish.

YOUVARLAKIA AVGOLEMONO (GREEK MEATBALL-EGG/LEMON SOUP)

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine the meat, minced onion, garlic, rice, 3 tablespoons chopped parsley, the mint, oregano, salt and pepper, and 1 egg, slightly beaten.
• Knead for a few minutes, then shape into walnut-sized meatballs and set aside.
• In a soup pot, bring the water or stock to boil and add the meatballs.
• Cook for 20 minutes.
• Add chopped onion, celery, carrot, zucchini and potato. Add salt and pepper to taste.
• Lower the heat and gently simmer, covered, for 20-25 minutes (until the vegetables are tender), then remove from the heat.
• To prepare avgolemono: beat the two remaining eggs for 2 minutes and whisk in the corn flour.
• While beating all the while, gradually add the lemon juice.
• Then add 1 cup of the hot broth in a slow, steady stream (ladle), beating steadily, until nearly all the hot liquid has been added.
• Add the egg/stock mixture back to the soup pot and heat, being careful not to let it boil, stirring, until thickened.
• Serve hot, garnished with parsley.
• Serve this with feta cheese on the side- goes great with the little meatballs.

EASY GREEK MEATBALLS

Steps:

• Combine all the ingredients and mix until the ingredients are just combined, taking care not to over mix (this can cause the meatballs to be very dense).
• To mix the meatballs: With wet hands (this prevents the meat from sticking to your hands), form meatballs of approximately 3cm/1in and place on a chopping board.
• To fry the meatballs: pre-heat a non-stick frying pan and add a tablespoon of olive oil. Fry the meatballs in batches until golden brown on both sides and cooked through.
• To bake the meatballs: Pre-heat the oven to 220ºC. Line 2 baking sheets with baking/parchment paper and add the meatballs, keeping some space between them. Drizzle the meatballs with 1-2 tbsp olive oil and place in the oven. Allow to bake, turning over halfway, until golden brown and cooked through (approximately 20-30 minutes).
• Remove the meatballs from the heat, drizzle with lemon juice (optional) and serve.

YOUVARLAKIA AVGOLEMONO (GREEK MEATBALL SOUP)

Steps:

• In a large dutch oven, bring chicken broth to a boil. Cover and simmer.
• In a large bowl, mix together ground beef, onion, rice, dill, olive oil and salt and pepper.
• In a separate pan, add flour.
• Shape ground beef mixture into bite size meatballs. Roll in flour enough to lightly coat.
• Once all meatballs are lightly coated with flour, drop one by one into broth. Be careful to space them out in the pot so they don't fall directly on top of one another.
• Bring heat back to a boil and reduce to simmer. Simmer for 25 minutes. Meatballs are ready when firm and no longer pink. (Cut into one to test).
• While meatballs are cooking, juice two lemons and set aside.
• Separate egg yolks from whites and set egg yolks aside.
• Beat egg whites until fluffy. Add lemon juice. Beat again. Add yolks one at a time and beat until frothy.
• When meatballs are ready, temper the egg lemon mixture. Use a ladle to slowly add hot broth to the egg lemon mixture, beating to incorporate. Repeat three times.
• Slowly stir the egg lemon mixture into the pot and continue to stir until incorporated.
• Serve along with crusty bread, a tossed green salad, olives and cheese.

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.

GREEK MEATBALLS IN AVGOLEMONO SAUCE

Steps:

• Dice or set your food processor to grate and process the garlic and onion; remove. Using the s-blade, mince mint and parsley. Remove and add optional liver and puree.
• Add minced garlic, onion, mint, parsley, liver, ground beef, and ground lamb to one bowl.
• Add salt, black pepper and eggs to a separate bowl. Beat eggs and spices until smooth.
• Add eggs to meat mixture and thoroughly combine with hands.
• Crumble feta cheese and fold into mixture with hands gently.
• Preheat oven to 375F.
• Roll mixture into small ping pong ball sized meatballs. Line a baking sheet with silpat or parchment and place meatballs on the prepared sheet with enough space so they are not touching. Bake meatballs for approximately 20 minutes, then transfer to sauce.
• For the sauce: While the meatballs are baking, in a large skillet, heat the butter then add the flour and whisk to combine for about 3 minutes, taking care not to burn the flour.
• Slowly pour in beef or chicken stock, continuing to whisk and stir out any lumps.
• When combined and smooth, add the meatballs and simmer for 15 minutes, until the sauce is slightly thick.
• Juice the lemons.
• In a small bowl, beat the egg yolks and lemon juice together thoroughly. One at a time, add a few tablespoons of the sauce to the egg and lemon mixture while constantly whisking.
• Add the egg/lemon/sauce mixture to the meatballs in the sauce. Give it a quick stir, and remove from the heat.
• Serve with a sprinkling of pepper and fresh mint on top.