Elly's Soutzoukakia

Thanks to my Nestie friend and fellow food blogger Elly, I had a fabulous dinner tonight. I know the name isn't the easiest to pronounce (for us non Greeks that is) but it sure was easy enough to prepare. This dish provides all the comforts. Football shaped meat balls in tomato sauce spiced with cumin. The simple ingredients is what drew me to the recipe in the first place. Well, that and the mouth watering picture on her blog. I followed the recipe with some minor exceptions. I didn't have a 15oz can of the tomato sauce so I used 8oz tomato sauce and tomato paste. I also used beef broth + water (about a cup more ). And I used double the garlic and cumin. Hubby liked it as well. Definitely a meal I'll make again. Thanks Elly!

Elly's Soutzoukakia

(Elly says Opa!)

1 lb. ground beef1 small onion, finely minced or grated (reserve 2-3 Tbsp).

1 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. dried oregano1 clove garlic, pressed

2 Tbsp. fresh parsley or 2 tsp. dried

1 egg1-2 Tbsp. bread crumbs (optional, my grandmas don't add them)

olive oil

1 large (15 oz.) can tomato sauce

1 can water

1 bay leaf

1/2 tsp. cumin

1 (good) pinch sugar

salt and pepper

corn starch slurry (optional)

Mix together the beef, onion, garlic, salt, oregano, parsley, egg, pepper to taste and breadcrumbs (if using). Form the mixture into elongaged oval-shaped meatballs.
Heat olive oil in a pan and pan-fry the meatballs until they are browned on all sides (you don't have to cook them through). Remove. You can probably bake the meatballs instead if you want, but simmer the sauce longer and maybe use a little beef broth in place of the water to add some depth to the sauce.

To the pan, add the 2-3 Tbsp onion (and more oil if necessary) and cook until translucent. Add the tomato sauce, water, bay leaf, cumin, sugar and salt and pepper to taste. Bring the mixture to a low boil and add the meatballs. Simmer about 10-15 minutes. If you want a thicker sauce, add a corn starch slurry at the end.
Serve over mashed potatoes or rice.

I had mine over rice and dh (plate above) had his over potatoes.