Greek Meatballs with Tzatziki and Orzo with Feta and Walnuts Recipe

Name: Greek Meatballs with Tzatziki and Orzo with Feta and Walnuts
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 2 slices white bread, 1-inch thick; 1/4 to 1/2 cup milk, to moisten; 1/2 seedless cucumber; Kosher salt; 3 tablespoons EVOO; 1 1/2 pounds ground lamb or beef; Freshly ground pepper; 1/4 cup finely chopped fresh mint; 3 tablespoons grated red onion; 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh oregano; 2 pinches cinnamon; 3 cloves garlic, grated or pasted; 1 large egg; Zest and juice of 1 lemon; 4 pocket-less pitas or flat breads, cut into wedges; 1 1/2 cups Greek yogurt; 1/4 cup fresh dill; 1 teaspoon ground cumin; Orzo with Feta and Walnuts, recipe follows; Kosher salt; 1 1/2 cups orzo; 1/2 cup chopped walnuts; 1 cup finely chopped flat leaf parsley; 1/2 pound Greek feta cheese, crumbled; EVOO, for drizzling; Freshly ground pepper

Servings: persons

2 slices white bread, 1-inch thick
1/4 to 1/2 cup milk, to moisten
1/2 seedless cucumber
Kosher salt
3 tablespoons EVOO
1 1/2 pounds ground lamb or beef
Freshly ground pepper
1/4 cup finely chopped fresh mint
3 tablespoons grated red onion
1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh oregano
2 pinches cinnamon
3 cloves garlic, grated or pasted
1 large egg
Zest and juice of 1 lemon
4 pocket-less pitas or flat breads, cut into wedges
1 1/2 cups Greek yogurt
1/4 cup fresh dill
1 teaspoon ground cumin
Orzo with Feta and Walnuts, recipe follows
Kosher salt
1 1/2 cups orzo
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
1 cup finely chopped flat leaf parsley
1/2 pound Greek feta cheese, crumbled
EVOO, for drizzling
Freshly ground pepper

1
Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Place a cooling rack over 2 baking sheets for roasting the meatballs and toasting the pita.
2
Soak the bread in the milk.
3
Peel the cucumber and grate into a strainer.
4
Salt it and let it drain for 20 minutes.
5
Pour the EVOO into a bowl, then add the meat and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
6
Squeeze out the bread and crumble between your fingers as you add it to the meat.
7
Add the mint, onions, oregano, cinnamon, 2 of the garlic cloves, egg and 1/2 of the lemon juice, and mix to combine.
8
Using a small ice cream scoop, form the meat mixture into about 24 balls and place on the baking sheet.
9
Roast to golden brown, 15 to 18 minutes.
10
Remove the meatballs from the oven and place the broiler on high.
11
Char the pita under the broiler, 30 seconds to 1 minute on each side.
12
Press the cucumber in the strainer to get out the excess water and add to a food processor.
13
Then add the yogurt, dill, remaining 1 clove garlic, zest and remaining juice of the lemon.
14
Season the sauce with cumin and salt and process until smooth.
15
Serve the meatballs with the sauce and pitas and alongside the Orzo with Feta and Walnuts.
16
Heat a medium pot of water to a boil.
17
Salt the water and cook the orzo to al dente, 7 minutes.
18
Toast the walnuts until fragrant in small pan over medium heat.
19
Combine the orzo with the walnuts, parsley, feta and a drizzle of EVOO and season with pepper.

1045

kcal

Calories

Fat

Carbs

Protein

Fat Carbs Protein

* Per serving · 4 servings · Values may vary.

No additional tips available.

No specific allergen information. Please check the ingredient list for possible allergens.

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This recipe makes 4 servings. You can adjust the portion size directly on this page.

You need 26 ingredients. The key ingredients include: 2 slices white bread, 1-inch thick, 1/4 to 1/2 cup milk, to moisten, 1/2 seedless cucumber, Kosher salt, and more.

Yes, Greek Meatballs with Tzatziki and Orzo with Feta and Walnuts falls under the Pasta & Noodles category and is a great choice for this type of meal.

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days. Reheat gently before serving.

Greek Meatballs with Tzatziki and Orzo with Feta and Walnuts

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