Description
Tefteli, a delightful dish with roots in Eastern European cuisine, combines savory meatballs made from a blend of ground beef and pork, fragrant spices, and a touch of rice for texture. These tender bites are perfect for any occasion, whether you’re hosting a cozy family dinner or an elegant gathering. Drizzled with rich tomato sauce or paired with fluffy rice or crusty bread, tefteli is sure to impress your guests and satisfy your taste buds. This straightforward recipe is accessible even for novice cooks, allowing you to customize flavors with your favorite herbs and spices. Get ready to enjoy the mouthwatering aroma as you create these irresistible meatballs that will leave everyone asking for seconds.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground meat (beef and pork mix)
- 1 finely chopped onion
- ½ cup uncooked rice
- 2 eggs
- Salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder
- 2 cups tomato sauce
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a baking dish.
- Sauté the chopped onion in a skillet over medium heat until translucent; let it cool.
- In a large bowl, mix ground meat, sautéed onions, rice, eggs, and spices until well blended.
- Form the mixture into 1-inch meatballs and place them in the prepared baking dish.
- Combine tomato sauce with additional spices if desired; pour over the meatballs.
- Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes; uncover and bake for an additional 10 minutes until browned.
Notes
For added flavor, soak the rice in warm water for 30 minutes before mixing.
Vary the meat blend; try using lamb or turkey for different flavors.
To make it vegetarian, use lentils or chickpeas instead of meat.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 tefteli (65g)
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 250mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 6g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 8g
- Cholesterol: 50mg
Keywords: - For added flavor, soak the rice in warm water for 30 minutes before mixing.- Vary the meat blend; try using lamb or turkey for different flavors.- To make it vegetarian, use lentils or chickpeas instead of meat.