Milas Meatballs

(Milas Köftesi - Muğla - Aegean Region)

Kofte (meatball) ingredients:
~350 g medium ground beef
1 small onion, grated
Salt
Pepper
~
1/3 cup flour, all purpose
1/3 cup sun flower oil, for frying
~
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
2 cups canned chickpeas, rinsed
2 tbsp tomato paste
1 medium-size tomato, grated
3/4 cup warm water
Salt
Pepper

Garlic-mint Sauce:
1-2 garlic cloves, mashed with salt
1 tbsp lemon juice
1 tsp mint

Garnish:
Parsley, chopped

Knead all the kofte ingredients. Make little balls (larger than hazelnuts) and flour them all. Heat the oil and lightly fry. Place on a paper towel to soak the excess oil.

Meanwhile, saute the tomato paste with olive oil in a medium-sized sauce pan. Add the chickpeas, grated tomato, water, salt and pepper. Cook for about 10 minutes at low heat. Then, add the koftes, stir. Close and cook for about 15 more minutes.

Mix and add in sauce, stir. Bring to boil, then turn the heat off. Garnish with finely chopped parsley. Serve with Turkish Pilaf on the side.

2 servings.