Monday, October 6, 2014

Meatballs with Ouzo a.k.a Soutzoukakia


                                                      Meatballs with Ouzo a.k.a Soutzoukakia


 Soutzoukakia, by the time you get through my blog you will be able to order Greek food in Greek.
This is another traditional dish that I found in a recipe book that was a giveaway with a magazine. I have been cooking this dish for many years and I have made just two tiny alterations to the original recipe, I will give the original and my changes as well.

Ingredients:

2 pounds of chop meat if your vegan substitute soy crumbles
Soy crumbles
1 bag of Carolina long grain rice( When I make it in the States, this rice has been our favorite in our family)
1  Can of diced tomatoes tomatoes
1/2 cup of olive oil
1/2 cup of ouzo
1/2 teaspoon of ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon of sugar
1/3 cup vinegar
1/3 cup water
3 cups of flour
3 cloves of garlic
1 tablespoon of  tomato paste ( original recipe doesn't call for this) I like to add color to the recipe
1 cup of bread crumbs ( I use 1 cup of Quaker Oats) makes the meatballs juicier and softer), instead of bread crumbs

If you like bread crumbs, then use 4C bread crumbs, they are  spicier and I love them.
salt & pepper to taste





Add chop meat, garlic cloves, cumming, egg, Quaker oats, salt, pepper,vinegar and water. Water and vinegar make the meatballs fluffier and softer. Mix all ingredients together 






After you have mixed it very well make oblong shaped meatballs.



Take a piece of aluminum paper or a bowl ( This is convenient for me).Roll your meatball in the flour. After you roll it in the flour pat it down so you can rid of all the excess flour. As shown in the pictures below.






Once you have finished with all your meatballs set them aside until you set you frying pan.



Once your oil is sizzling hot, drop your meatballs in they are ready when they have turned brown on each side.



Make sure you don't place  too many in your frying pan.



TIP:  Have your platter ready with towels so the excess oil can drain on them before you place them in your sauce.




Make sure all excess oil has drained and of course I use olive oil.



Clean you frying pan, add you diced tomatoes, 1/3 cup of olive oil,tomato paste, ouzo,salt and pepper to taste.You can also add a dash of cumin if you like. Add 1 cup of water, cook on high for about 5 minutes, then add your meatballs.


Just look at them being cooked away. After you place your meatballs let them cook on high for about 10 minutes then let them simmer on medium for another 5 minutes or until sauce thickens, if you would like more color just add more tomato paste. While this is simmering, prepare your rice or paste. I prefer this with rice.


Before adding your rice to boil, water should be boiled first, add your rice then add about 1 tablespoon of salt. It depends on your servings. I measure 1/2 cup of rice for each person and the add 1 extra 1/2 cup just to be sure. Your rice should be al dente.


Drain your rice in a strainer, let it sit for about 5 minutes and return to pot.


Once in pot, add 2 - 4 tablespoons of butter. ( Makes the rice taste sweeter and it prevents it from being sticky. Just look at the butter melting away, you always substitute the butter for olive oil.

Now the way I serve my rice.


Take mold, anything will really do, even small shot glasses.


Add the rice, pat it down and the flip it over in your plate.


This recipe goes very well with semi - sweet wine.


Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and Kale Orexi !! :) 

This how I serve the rice to my kids.  I used shot glasses and you can omit the ouzo when cooking for kids, I had two separate sauces. 



If you have any questions about this recipe or any other recipe feel free to contact me. 
Most of the ingredients that you will need you can purchase through my Amazon affiliate links. I make a small commission, this is how I try to help to provide for the little things in my household. Thank you :)  

























30 comments :

  1. Looks delish! I love a good meatball...Italian, Greek, Swedish...:)

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  2. This is a FANTASTIC recipe! Thanks so much for showing how to substitute chopped meat with soy crumbles! Your recipe makes it easy for vegans to try out. :-)

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  3. It is delish !! and yes you are able to transform it into a vegan dish. Thank you for stopping by.

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  4. Looks delicious :D Thanks for sharing so detail with photos in here.

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  5. That sounds absolutely delicious. Now I am craving meatballs.

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  6. That looks delicious! My family would love this.

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  7. OH my! This looks and sounds delicious! You are making me hungry before lunch!

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  8. I love meatballs. This recipe looks really yummy. I love how you shape the rice for serving.

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  9. I would slap those meatballs inside a nice hoagie bread and throw sauce on it with some parmesan cheese.. thats getting me hungry now..

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  10. If I still ate meat totally be making these!

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  11. Thanks for sharing this recipe! It looks really simple and easy to make! I would have to omit the cuman (allergic) but all the other ingredients seem fine! I will definitely be sharing your recipe with my family! :)

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  12. I apologize if this is a duplicate comment... but I don't know what happened when I published the last comment lol Your meatball recipe will be a perfect addition to our spaghetti night this week )

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  13. You make it look so simple and delicious! Thanks for sharing. I love ouzo. :)

    ~Lorelai
    Life With Lorelai

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  14. Those look amazing! I'm saving it for later.

    My husband uses oats in his ground beef for Hamburgers. And you are correct. It does make them moister.

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  15. Those look really good! Would love to make the whole dish!

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  16. Not a fan of meatballs, but I know some family members and friends who would love these. Thanks for sharing.

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  17. These look great! But I still can't pronounce Soutzoukakia LOL

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  18. Looks amazing! I'm not that big of an ambitious cook (but I love to eat!), maybe I could talk someone into making them for me.

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  19. This looks so appetizing. I love being intorduced to traditional recipes because I like trying out lots of recipes. Meatball and tomato sauce = match made in heaven!

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  20. I'll have to try this one! Thanks for sharing it at the #laughlearnlinkup.

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  21. The final product looks tasty..one of these days I have got to do a rice-tasting day to learn what different flavors taste like. All I really know is white, brown, and jasmine rice.

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  22. Thank You everyone for your beautiful comments.Your comments and enthusiasm just wants me to keep on posting :) :)

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  23. YUM! I love Greek food and this recipe is going at the top of my must make list.

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  24. These meatballs look delicious! I love Greek food.

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  25. This looks delish! Is chop meat like hamburger or something else?

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  26. Looks like some good eating. It is always nice when you get to prepare your own food. That looks really good. And paired with rice, oh yes! Thanks for sharing!

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  27. @Maggie King, yes it is hamburger meat, it's also called minced meat. In New York we call it chop meat. When you try this recipe come back and let me know the results. :)

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  28. I just love love love it! Great step-by-step guide, amazing, looks so good and you got me inspired now!

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