How to Make Meat Balls using Kibbeh Recipe and Kofta Recipe

I had learned how to make meat balls using different common spices like oregano, basil, garlic, chili powder and sage. As soon as I conquered the meatballs for spaghetti, a friend named Letha kept telling me that she had eaten some Swedish meatballs. She asked if I knew anything about this recipe. I said to her, ”What are Swedish meatballs? Are you kidding? It hasn’t been too long since I learned how to make meat balls for Italian spaghetti. Now you want me to make Swedish meatballs!” Well, of course I couldn’t let it pass after Letha described how delicious was the wonderful flavor of these meatballs. I set out to make what she described to me. Here are my Sweedish meatballs. I have come to include these meatballs among my easy appetizer recipes and my make ahead appetizer recipes.

SWEDISH MEATBALLS

• 1 Tablespoon solid shortening


• 1 ½ Pound ground beef


• 1 Teaspoon salt


• ¼ Teaspoon black pepper


• ¼ Teaspoon nutmeg


• ½ Cup bread crumbs


• 2/3 Milk


• 1 Egg


• ¼ Cup grated onion


• 6 Cups cold water


• 8 Beef bouillon cubes


• ¾ Cup flour


• Kitchen Bouquet for color

Soak bread crumbs with milk; combine with ground beef, egg, onion, salt, pepper and nutmeg and mix well.

Shape mixture into 1 inch balls.

Melt shortening in skillet and brown meatballs on all sides.

In large heavy pan place flour; add water gradually stirring or whisking until smooth.

Add bouillon cubes; bring to a boil stirring constantly to prevent lumps from forming.

Lower heat and add Kitchen Bouquet and meatballs; simmer slowly about 30 minutes and stir occasionally.

Meatballs and gravy delicious served over noodles.

When I really learned how to make meat balls, I tasted the Lebanese meatballs called Kebbeh. I must say these are now my favorite. The combined flavor of cumin, garlic, cardamom, allspice and mint added to this meat makes for a unique flavor that I had never experienced before. Fresh homemade yogurt is a great accompaniment to this recipe. If you don’t have homemade yogurt, purchase a good quality plain yogurt from your grocery store.

KEBBEH RECIPE Olive oil

• 1 Pound ground beef


• 1 Pound ground lamb


• 2 Cloves minced garlic


• 1 Medium very finely chopped onion


• ¾ Cup bulgur soaked in water


• ¼ Teaspoon cardamom


• 1 Teaspoon allspice


• 1 Teaspoon cumin


• ¼ Cup ground mint leaves


• 1 Teaspoon salt


• ¼ Teaspoon black pepper


• Ground pine nuts

Preheat oven to 350F degrees.

Combine and blend well all ingredients except for the pine nuts.

Measure about 2 tablespoons of mixture for each ball.

I work the mixture with my hands into small flat patties, then spoon about ½ teaspoon ground pine nuts on the patty, then I fold the patty over the pine nuts shaping it into a ball.

Place these balls in a greased casserole dish and bake until done, about 60 minutes.

The kofta recipe for meatballs is a Middle Eastern recipe and South Asian recipe for meatballs. Koftas can be made of beef, lamb or a combination with added ingredients like rice, Bulgur, eggs, garlic and onions. Also many are made with fish and from vegetarian recipes. All these recipes can be grilled, fried, baked or steamed.

Chinese meatballs have become one of my favorites but I love the flavor of any Chinese food. These are usually made with ground pork, egg, breadcrumbs and seasoned with onion and garlic. Try my recipe. These are among my favorite appetizer recipes.

CHINESE MATBALLS

• 1 Pound fresh ground pork


• 1 Egg


• ½ Cup bread crumbs


• 2 Tablespoons minced onion


• 1 Clove minced garlic


• ¾ Cup chili sauce


• ¼ Teaspoon garlic powder


• 6 Tablespoons brown sugar


• 2 Tablespoons vinegar


• 2 Tablespoons soy sauce


• 1 Tablespoon butter

Preheat oven to 400F degrees.

Combine pork, egg, bread crumbs, onion and minced garlic; mix well.

Shape into 1 inch balls and place in lightly greased baking pan; bake 4 minutes then turn balls over and bake 5 more minutes.

Combine the chili sauce, garlic powder, sugar, vinegar, soy sauce and butter; blend well.

Bring sauce to a simmer and add meatballs; simmer 15 minutes.

These are some of my favorite recipes when I learned how to make meat balls!

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