Soutzoukakia Smyrneika
For the soutzoukakia: - 1lb ground beef - 2 slices bread , with the crusts removed - ¼ cup red wine - 1 red onion , finely chopped - 2 garlic cloves , minced - 1 egg , lightly beaten - 2 tablespoons flat leaf parsley, finely chopped - ½ teaspoon ground cumin - 1 teaspoon salt - 1 teaspoon pepper For the tomato sauce: - 2 tablespoons olive oil - 1 onion, finely chopped - 16oz canned tomatoes - 1 clove garlic, finely chopped - 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon - salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
Start off by preparing your sauce. Heat up your oil on a medium heat in a large pot and proceed to add the chopped onions and garlic. Allow them to cook for about 5 mins until they become translucent.
Add the tomatoes, cinnamon, salt and pepper. Bring to the boil, drop the heat down to low and allow the sauce to simmer and thicken for about 30 mins. Allow to cool and let the flavours infuse.
Prepare your soutzoukakia by soaking the bread in the wine until it has softened. Squeeze the wine out of the bread and add it to the remaining ingredients in a large bowl. Mix well ensuring everything is combined. The mixture should feel soft. Cover and chill in the refrigerator for 1-2 hours.
Remove from the refrigerator and using moistened hands, pinch off portions of the meat mixture and shape into oblong-ish patties. Place them on some baking paper as you prepare them.
Heat up a griddle pan brushed with olive oil and proceed to cook the soutzoukakia until they are browned on all sides. Approx. 5-7 mins.
Once they are cooked re-heat your sauce and add them to the sauce mixture. Allow them to cook in the sauce for 5 minutes before serving with rice, mash or fries.