Soutzoukakia (Greek Meatballs in Red Sauce)
Soutzoukakia are spicy sausage-shaped meatballs that are lightly fried and then cooked in a tomato-based sauce. This dish comes from the once Greek part of Asia Minor, Smyrna, and was brought to Greece by refugees from Asia Minor.
Soutzoukakia are very filling and are perfect on cold winter days. They are best enjoyed with a side of rice or mashed potatoes.
Enjoy this traditional soutzoukakia recipe by Greek celebrity Chef Giorgos Tsoulis.
Soutzoukakia (Greek Meatballs in Red Sauce) with Rice
Ingredients
For the meatballs:
- 500 gr ground beef
- 100 ml whole milk
- 1 tbsp white wine vinegar
- ¼ tsp baking soda
- 1 tbsp cumin ground
- 2 cloves garlic chopped
- olive oil
- salt
- pepper
For the sauce:
- 50 ml olive oil
- 1 onion chopped
- 1 clove garlic chopped
- 1 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tbsp ground cumin
- 500 gr crushed tomato
- 2 whole spices
- 200 ml water
- salt
- pepper
For serving:
- rice
Instructions
- Place all the meatballs ingredients in a bowl and combine them by hand. Cover the bowl with transparent film and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
- Shape the minced meat into balls about 60 gr each and place them on a large plate.
- Heat a frying pan over medium to high heat, pour in the olive oil, and cook the soutzoukakia meatballs until golden all over. Once ready, transfer to a plate and set aside.
- Using the same pan, reduce the heat to medium. Add the olive oil, onion, and garlic, and sauté for 1-2 minutes. Stir in the tomato paste with cumin and sauté for an additional 1-2 minutes. Add the crushed tomatoes, spices, water, salt, and pepper and simmer for 2-3 minutes.
- Add the soutzoukakia meatballs to the sauce and continue cooking for another 5 minutes until they are well-cooked, and the sauce thickens.
- Serve hot, accompanied by rice.
Notes
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