Keftedakia - Fried Meatballs

Ingredients

• 500 grams ( 2.2 pounds) lean ground beef
• 100 grams (1 small) onion
• 2 large garlic cloves
• 1 medium-sized egg
• 5 tablespoons olive oil
• 80 grams (2.8 oz) bread (with crust removed, ideally stale)
• 1 teaspoon ground coriander
• 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
• 3-4 small spearmint leaves (minced)
• 2-3 tablespoons fresh parsley (chopped)
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
• salt & pepper
• flour
• frying oil
• lemon wedges (to serve with)
• 150 grams (2/3 cup) Greek yogurt
• 3 tablespoons lemon juice
• 2-3 spearmint leaves (minced)
• salt and pepper

Instructions

1. 1

   --- Make The Yogurt Dip: ---

2. 2

   Combine all of the ingredients for the dip in a small bowl and set aside.

3. 3

   --- Make The Meatballs: ---

4. 4

   Soak the bread in water to soften, then squeeze it to release the excess water.

5. 5

   Blend the onion and garlic in a small food processor until finely minced.

6. 6

   Combine the soaked, squeezed bread, the garlic and onion, with the ground beef, olive oil, red wine vinegar, parsley, spearmint, egg, coriander, and oregano.

7. 7

   Knead the mixture well until all of the ingredients fully combine.

8. 8

   Shape into small bite-sized round meatballs (about 40 grams each) and set aside.

9. 9

   Half-fill a pan with frying oil or a small cooking pot and heat over high heat.NOTE: A frying pan will yield crispier meatballs while a cooking pot will yield more tender, juicier meatballs.

10. 10

    Roll each meatball in flour to coat. Shake to remove excess flour (it's easier to do if you place the meatball in a small fine-mesh sieve).

11. 11

    Dip the meatballs one by one in the hot oil without overcrowding them. The oil temperature should read 175°C / 347°F on an instant-read thermometer.

12. 12

    Deep fry meatballs for 3-4 minutes on each side (if using a frying pan and they're not submerged in oil). Or for 4-5 minutes overall if using a cooking pot and they're submerged in oil.

13. 13

    Transfer to paper towels for a few seconds to drain excess oil.

14. 14

    Serve with lemon wedges, fresh chopped parsley, and the yogurt dip or Greek Tzatziki for dipping!