Keftedes

Keftedes are Greek fried meatballs, or as I call them little balls of happiness!

As a family we love them, at least once a fortnight they are on the menu and not in just my home but in most Greek homes.

I distinctly remember my mum and aunty making these to take to picnics. Growing up picnics were THE thing, so Saturdays they would spend making hundreds of meatballs and pites for the next day.

The recipe I am posting is my mums recipe, and like my mum, I am sure most Greek mums have their own recipe. I guess what I am saying is there is no right or wrong recipe here. It is what each family learnt and what each family liked.

One thing is for sure and that is that you always, and I mean always make extra. They are super tasty warm but they are also pretty delicious cold.

Recipe

Keftedes

Ingredients

• 1 kilo beef mince

• 1 onion grated

• 1/2 cup breadcrumbs

• 1/2 cup chopped parsley

• 1tbs dried oregano

• 1tbs vinegar

• 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil

• 1 egg

• Salt & Pepper

• Light oil for frying (vegetable or canola)

Directions

1. Combine all ingredients in a big bowl

2. With an ice cream or cookie scooper, create little balls

3. Heat oil in a shallow fry pan, medium heat

4. Once oil is hot add meatballs, leaving room around them

5. Turn them over so they cook evenly

6. Once cooked remove from oil and drain on a paper towel

7. Serve warm with tzatziki and salad

HINT 1: You can use other meat like pork instead of beef, or 50% beef and 50% pork, apparently it’s very tasty (I just don’t eat pork that’s why). You can also substitute the herbs as well with herbs of your choice like basil or coriander.

HINT 2: A nice variation is to sandwich feta between 2 meatballs and seal around it. The feta melts when it cooks and it’s super delicious.