Soutzoukakia (Greek Meatballs in a Tomato Sauce) Recipe - Food.com (2024)

• 2 slices thick dense bread (crusts removed)
• ¹⁄₂ cup dry red wine
• 1 lb ground lean meat (beef or veal)
• ¹⁄₂ cup finely chopped onion
• 2 garlic cloves, crushed
• 1 egg
• 2 tablespoons chopped parsley
• 2 tablespoons grated kefalograviera cheese (parmesan makes an excellent substitute) or 2 tablespoons mizithra cheese (parmesan makes an excellent substitute)
• ¹⁄₂ teaspoon oregano
• ¹⁄₂ teaspoon ground cumin
• salt and pepper
• flour (for dredging)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil

• Sauce

• 2 lbs fresh tomatoes
• 1 tablespoon vinegar
• 1 garlic clove, chopped
• 1 bay leaf
• ³⁄₄ teaspoon sugar
• ¹⁄₂ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ¹⁄₄ teaspoon ground cloves

directions

• Soak the bread in the wine for about 5 minutes, or until thoroughly softened.
• Then, squeeze out and reserve the excess wine.
• In a large bowl, combine the ground meat with the wine soaked bread, onion, garlic, egg, parsley, grated cheese, cumin, and salt and pepper to taste.
• Mix the ingredients until thoroughly blended.
• Cover and chill for 1 to 2 hours.
• Dampen your hands, pinch off small portions of meat mixture, about the quantity of a teaspoon or just over, and shape into approximately 20 oval rolls (looks sort of like an elongated, slightly flattened, meatball).
• Dredge them in flour.
• Heat olive oil in a large frying pan.
• Add the meatballs and fry until browned all over, turning occasionally and allowing time for the meat to cook thoroughly. (alternatively, if you want a 'lighter' recipe, you could just brown in a non-stick pan or bake them in the oven - not as flavourful, but still good).
• Remove from the pan using a slotted spoon and set aside.
• Strain the oil you fried the meatballs in through a fine sieve into a cooking pan.
• Add all the sauce ingredients, and the reserved wine.
• Bring to a boil and simmer until the sauce is thick.
• Drop in the meatballs, stir to cover all over with the sauce, and simmer covered for 15 minutes.
• Serve hot with rice, french fries, or mashed potatoes.