Margaret's Keftedes (Greek Meatballs)

This is my yia yia's recipe--a family favorite straight from the village of Kyparissia. Serve as an appetizer or with tzatziki, Greek salata, and pita or pasta for a full meal. They taste best served at room temp and make for wonderful leftovers. If you don't care for lamb, try using all beef instead.

• Preparation Time: 25 mins
• Cooking Time: 30 mins
• Total Time: 55 mins
• Calories: 522 Calories

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons milk
• vegetable oil for frying
• 4 eggs
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ground black pepper to taste
• 1 onion, quartered
• ½ pound ground beef
• 1 clove garlic
• 4 slices white bread, torn into pieces
• ½ pound ground lamb
• 4 teaspoons dried mint
• ½ cup all-purpose flour for dredging

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Moisten the bread pieces with the milk in a large bowl, and set aside. Mince the garlic in a food processor, then add the onion, mint, salt, and pepper. Process until the onion is finely chopped. Add the onion mixture to the bowl with the moist bread, along with the beef, lamb, and eggs. Mix with your hands until thoroughly blended.

Step 2

Roll the mixture into balls measuring 1 1/2 to 2 inches in diameter. Place the flour in a shallow pan, and roll the balls in the flour to coat. Shake off any excess flour, and place the meatballs onto a plate or baking sheet, pressing to flatten slightly. This will keep them from rolling away.

Step 3

Heat 1 inch of oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the meatballs, 8 or 10 at a time, and cook until nicely browned on the outside, and no longer pink in the center, about 10 minutes; drain on a paper towel-lined plate. Repeat with remaining meatballs.