Soutzoukakia / Izmir Köfte Recipe - Titli's Busy Kitchen

ground beef

🥗Healthier: ground turkey

💰Cheaper: ground pork

Ground turkey reduces fat content while ground pork is often less expensive.

red wine

🥗Healthier: grape juice

💰Cheaper: white wine

Grape juice offers a non-alcoholic option, while white wine can be more affordable.

bread crumbs

🥗Healthier: oats

💰Cheaper: crushed crackers

Oats provide a healthier alternative, while crushed crackers can be a budget-friendly substitute.

olive oil

🥗Healthier: avocado oil

💰Cheaper: vegetable oil

Avocado oil is a healthier fat, while vegetable oil is typically less expensive.

Soak the stale bread in the alcohol-free wine and squeeze out excess moisture.

Combine minced lamb, soaked bread, garlic, cumin, salt, and black pepper in a bowl and knead well.

Shape the mixture into torpedo-shaped meatballs about the size of a golf ball.

Dredge the meatballs in plain flour.

Heat olive oil in a pan and fry the meatballs in batches until browned on all sides, about 7-8 minutes.

Remove the browned meatballs and set aside on a plate.

In the same pan, add the chopped tomatoes and leftover wine from soaking the bread, season with salt and pepper, and bring to a boil.

Cover and simmer the sauce over low heat for about 30 minutes until the tomatoes break down.

Remove the lid and continue to simmer to thicken the sauce.

Add a pinch of sugar to the sauce for sweetness.

Return the meatballs to the sauce, cover, and simmer for an additional 10 minutes until heated through.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Allergens