Ingredients with Measurements:
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1 egg
- 1/4 cup chopped parsley
- 1/4 cup chopped onion
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 2 medium eggplants, peeled and diced
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1/2 cup water
Special equipment needed:
- Food processor
- Large skillet
- Baking sheet
Step-by-step instructions:
1. Preheat oven to 375°F.
2. In a large bowl, mix together ground beef, breadcrumbs, milk, egg, parsley, onion, garlic, salt, and black pepper until well combined.
3. Form the mixture into 1-inch meatballs and place them on a baking sheet.
4. Bake the meatballs for 20-25 minutes, or until cooked through.
5. While the meatballs are cooking, prepare the eggplant sauce. In a food processor, pulse the diced eggplant until finely chopped.
6. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add chopped onion and garlic and sauté until softened.
7. Add the chopped eggplant to the skillet and cook until it starts to brown.
8. Add diced tomatoes, dried oregano, salt, black pepper, and water to the skillet. Stir well and bring to a simmer.
9. Reduce heat to low and let the sauce simmer for 10-15 minutes, or until the eggplant is tender and the sauce has thickened.
10. Serve the meatballs with the eggplant sauce on top.
- Time:
Preparation time: 20 minutes
- Cooking time: 40 minutes
Temperature:
- Oven temperature: 375°F
Serving size:
- 4 servings
Nutritional information:
- Calories per serving: 400
- Fat: 25g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Protein: 25g
Substitutions for ingredients:
- Ground beef can be substituted with ground lamb or ground turkey.
- Breadcrumbs can be substituted with almond flour or gluten-free breadcrumbs.
- Milk can be substituted with almond milk or coconut milk.
- Eggplant can be substituted with zucchini or yellow squash.
Variations:
- Add 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese to the meatball mixture for extra flavor.
- Use fresh tomatoes instead of canned for a more rustic sauce.
- Add 1/4 cup chopped Kalamata olives to the eggplant sauce for a Mediterranean twist.
Tips and tricks:
- Make sure to squeeze out any excess liquid from the diced eggplant before adding it to the skillet.
- To make the meatballs easier to form, wet your hands with cold water before rolling the mixture into balls.
- If the eggplant sauce is too thick, add more water until it reaches the desired consistency.
Storage instructions:
- Store leftover meatballs and eggplant sauce separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Reheating instructions:
- Reheat the meatballs in the oven at 350°F for 10-15 minutes, or until heated through.
- Reheat the eggplant sauce in a saucepan over low heat, stirring occasionally, until heated through.
Presentation ideas:
- Serve the meatballs and eggplant sauce on a platter with a sprinkle of chopped parsley on top.
- Garnish with a dollop of Greek yogurt or sour cream.
Garnishes:
- Chopped parsley
- Greek yogurt
- Sour cream
Pairings:
- Serve with a side of roasted vegetables or a green salad.
Suggested side dishes:
- Roasted Brussels sprouts
- Grilled asparagus
- Mixed green salad with balsamic vinaigrette
Troubleshooting advice:
- If the meatballs are too dry, add a little more milk to the mixture.
- If the eggplant sauce is too watery, let it simmer for a few more minutes until it thickens.
Food safety advice:
- Make sure to cook the meatballs to an internal temperature of 160°F to ensure they are fully cooked.
- Store leftover meatballs and eggplant sauce in the refrigerator within 2 hours of cooking.
Food history:
- Akçaabat is a town in the Trabzon province of Turkey known for its meatballs, which are made with a mixture of ground beef, onion, and spices.
Flavor profiles:
- The meatballs are savory and slightly spicy, while the eggplant sauce is tangy and slightly sweet.
Serving suggestions:
- Serve the meatballs and eggplant sauce with a side of rice or crusty bread for a complete meal.
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Region: Turkish