Keftedes are Greek Meatballs. Lamb mince is flavoured with fresh parsley and mint, dried oregano and lemon. They are baked until golden. Serve Keftedes with Cucumber and Tomato Greek Salad and a drizzle of yogurt dressing.
Keftedes with Cucumber and Tomato Greek Salad Recipe
Serves 4
Ingredients:
4 slices white bread, roughly chopped
1 cup milk
1 bunch mint, leaves removed
1 bunch flat leaf parsley, leaves removed
650g lamb mince
1 brown onion, grated
1 tsp dried oregano
1 lemon, finely grated rind and 2 tbsp juice
4 garlic cloves, crushed
white pepper
1 tbsp olive oil
1 cup thick Greek-style yoghurt
Cucumber and Tomato Greek Salad
1 baby cos lettuce, trimmed, cut into thin wedges
1 telegraph cucumber, cut in half lengthways, sliced
½ cup green olives
½ cup black olives
2 tomatoes, cut into wedges
Method:
Preheat oven to 200°C.
To make Keftedes, place bread into bowl. Cover with milk and stand for 10 minutes. Drain, then squeeze as much liquid from bread as possible and place bread into a bowl.
Finely chop half the mint and half the parsley. Add chopped herbs to bread with mince, onion, oregano, lemon rind and juice, half the garlic, salt and white pepper. Stir until combined. Roll 2 tablespoonfuls of mixture into balls and place onto a plate.
Heat oil in a large non-stick frying pan over a medium heat. Add 1/3 of meatballs and cook for 5 minutes, shaking pan so meatballs cook evenly. Transfer to a baking dish. Cook remaining meatballs and add to baking dish. Transfer to oven and cook for 10 minutes or until golden.
Meanwhile, combine lettuce, 2/3 of cucumber, olives, tomato and remaining herbs in a bowl. Toss and transfer to a serving platter. Place yoghurt and remaining cucumber and garlic into a food processor and process until well combined. Season with salt and white pepper. Place meatballs onto salad and drizzle with dressing. Serve.
