Meatballs are traditional dish not only in Italy, but in many Slavic countries. The most popular meatballs recipe in Ukraine is”Fried meatballs”, but realizing the amount of cholesterol contained in this dish I prefer to cook braised meatballs with rice. I cook them in deep frying pan, so that they would be cooked through properly. Some people prefer to add tomato sauce to the dish, but I try to avoid it as well. The reason for this is a heartburn that tomato gravy may sometimes be associated with. This is a diet dish for the meat lovers, dress it up with herbs and serve it with mashed potatoes. I am sure your family will love it.
1/2 lb. minced meat (pork or turkey);
1 cup of cooked rice;
½ of white onion;
¼ of shredded carrot (use the small shred);
2 teaspoons salt;1 egg;
1 teaspoon black fresh ground pepper;
1/3 cup of fresh lemon basil;
1 cup of water.
Cook the rice up to the point when it’s almost cooked, but has 5-7 more minutes to be completely ready. Cool off the rice; add the minced meat and egg. Peel the onion, and the carrot, then chop the onion finely and shred the carrot using the small shred. Season everything and get ready to shape your meatballs. Take a bowl with cold water, before shaping your meatball put your hands in cold water for a second then take the meatball mixture and shape your meatballs.
Remember, before shaping the meatballs put the hands in the bowl with cold water, so that the meat wouldn’t stick to your hands.
Put your meatballs in a deep frying pan and add ½ cup of water, braise for 15 minutes on one side, then for 15 minutes on the other one. Add the other half of water from the cup when turning your meatballs. ***Tip from Helen*** Turn your meatballs carefully, so that you wouldn’t deform their shape.***
Decorate your meatballs with the basil just before serving them, preferably, when your meatballs are ON the plate.
Enjoy!
