Soutzoukakia (Greek Meatballs in Tomato Sauce)

• For the soutzoukakia
• ground beef↗2 lbs
• garlic cloves↗2

  minced

• cumin seed↗1 teaspoon
• dry white wine↗1⁄4 cup
• white bread↗1 cup

  soaked in the wine

• egg↗1
• olive oil↗1⁄4 cup
• flour↗
• pepper↗

  to taste

• salt↗

  to taste

• For the sauce
• tomatoes↗2 cups

  peeled and chopped

• vegetable stock↗2 cups
• wine↗

  reserved from soaking the bread

• teaspoon butter↗1
• pepper, to taste↗
• salt, to taste↗
• teaspoon cumin seed↗1
• teaspoon cinnamon↗1⁄2 - 1

Step-by-step instructions

1. 1

   For the meatballs, mix the ground beef, garlic, cumin, white wine, bread (squeeze out the wine and reserve to be used in the sauce) and egg.

2. 2

   Season to taste with salt and pepper.

3. 3

   Shape into approximately 30 sausage shaped patties, roll in flour and fry in oil until cooked through.

4. 4

   Remove from pan, set aside on a plate covered with paper towels.

5. 5

   For the sauce, bring the tomatoes stock and butter to a boil.

6. 6

   Add the wine and the seasoning and simmer until sauce beginns to thicken.

7. 7

   When the sauce starts to thicken, add the soutzoukakias and simmer for a further ten minutes.