HOW TO PREPARE KEFTEDES.

“Keftedes” are delicious Greek meatballs typically made from beef or lamb (or a mix), seasoned with various spices and herbs. Here’s a basic recipe for preparing Keftedes:

Ingredients:
500g (around 1 lb) of ground beef or lamb (or a mix of both)
1 large onion, finely grated or minced
2-3 slices of stale bread, crusts removed (alternatively, use breadcrumbs)
1/4 cup of milk (for soaking the bread)
1 large egg, beaten
3-4 cloves of garlic, minced
1/4 cup fresh parsley, finely chopped
1/4 cup fresh mint, finely chopped (optional, but traditional)
1 teaspoon dried oregano
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Flour, for dusting
Olive oil, for frying
Instructions:
Preparation of Bread: If using stale bread slices, soak them in milk until they become soft. After they’ve soaked, squeeze out the excess milk from the bread and crumble it into small pieces. If using breadcrumbs, you can skip this step.

Mixing the Meat Mixture: In a large bowl, combine the ground meat, grated/minced onion, prepared bread or breadcrumbs, beaten egg, minced garlic, chopped parsley, mint (if using), dried oregano, salt, and pepper. Mix well until all the ingredients are thoroughly combined.

Forming the Keftedes: Take small portions of the meat mixture and shape them into balls or slightly flattened patties, roughly the size of a walnut.

Dusting with Flour: Lightly dust each meatball with flour, shaking off any excess. This will help give the Keftedes a nice crust when frying.

Frying: In a large skillet or frying pan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Once hot, add the Keftedes, ensuring not to overcrowd the pan. Fry them until they are browned on all sides and cooked through, which will take around 4-5 minutes per side depending on their size.

Draining: Once the Keftedes are fried, place them on a plate lined with paper towels to drain any excess oil.

Serving: Serve your Keftedes warm, accompanied by tzatziki sauce or a squeeze of lemon, and perhaps some olives and feta on the side.

Tip: You can also bake Keftedes in the oven at around 200°C (390°F) for about 20-25 minutes if you want a healthier alternative to frying.

Enjoy your homemade Greek Keftedes!