Ground Meat Sausages Smryna Style

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Servings: 20 Difficulty: Intermediate
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Tender, spiced meatballs simmered in a rich, sweet-tomato sauce inspired by Greek tradition
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These Smyrna-style sausages, known as soutzoukia, are a delightful twist on traditional meatballs. Made with lean ground beef, soaked bread for moisture, and warm spices like cumin, they are pan-fried until golden and then gently simmered in a velvety tomato sauce. The sauce, made from peeled tomatoes, butter, and a touch of sugar, offers a balanced sweet and savory flavor profile that coats the tender meat perfectly. This dish is incredibly comforting and pairs beautifully with rice or crusty bread. It’s a wonderful option for family dinners or potlucks, offering a rustic yet refined taste that feels both homemade and elegant.

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Ground Meat Sausages Smryna Style

Author: chefs-mate Cooking Method: , , , Cuisine: Courses:
Difficulty: Intermediate
Servings: 20 Calories: 132.8

Description

These Smyrna-style sausages, known as soutzoukia, are a delightful twist on traditional meatballs. Made with lean ground beef, soaked bread for moisture, and warm spices like cumin, they are pan-fried until golden and then gently simmered in a velvety tomato sauce. The sauce, made from peeled tomatoes, butter, and a touch of sugar, offers a balanced sweet and savory flavor profile that coats the tender meat perfectly. This dish is incredibly comforting and pairs beautifully with rice or crusty bread. It&# 226;ÂÂs a wonderful option for family dinners or potlucks, offering a rustic yet refined taste that feels both homemade and elegant.

Ingredients

Directions

  1. Soak two slices of crustless bread in water, then squeeze them dry until no excess water remains.
  2. In a large bowl, combine 1 lb lean ground beef, the squeezed bread, 1 lightly beaten egg, 1 tsp ground cumin, 2 tsp minced parsley, 1 tsp salt, and a pinch of freshly ground pepper.
  3. Mix the ingredients thoroughly by hand until well combined, ensuring the mixture is soft but not stiff.
  4. Pinch off pieces of the meat mixture slightly larger than a walnut and shape them into elongated egg shapes, approximately 1 x 3 inches.
  5. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat and lightly fry the sausages on all sides until golden brown.
  6. Remove the fried sausages and drain on paper towels, or alternatively, arrange them on a baking dish and bake at 375ðF (191ðC) for 20 minutes, turning once.
  7. In a saucepan, combine melted butter, peeled tomatoes, sugar, salt, pepper, 1 clove crushed garlic, 1/4 cup dry white wine, and 1 small bay leaf.
  8. Simmer the sauce for 30 minutes, then strain it through a fine sieve or food mill to achieve a smooth consistency.
  9. Gently add the cooked sausages to the strained tomato sauce and simmer for 15 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
  10. Serve the sausages hot, spooning extra sauce over the top, alongside steaming grains or fresh vegetables.

Nutrition Facts

Servings 20

Amount Per Serving
Calories 132.8kcal
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 12.4g20%
Saturated Fat 7.6g38%
Cholesterol 32.2mg11%
Sodium 102.1mg5%
Total Carbohydrate 5.7g2%
Dietary Fiber 1.4g6%
Sugars 4.2g
Protein 1.2g3%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

Keywords: greek, smyrna, soutzoukia, meatballs, ground beef, tomato sauce, cumin, bread, pan-fried, simmered, comfort food, dinner, spiced, traditional, homemade
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