Greek Meatballs with Tzatziki and Orzo with Feta and Walnuts

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Picture of Greek Meatballs with Tzatziki and Orzo with Feta and Walnuts Recipe Photo: Greek Meatballs with Tzatziki and Orzo with Feta and Walnuts Recipe
Rated 5 stars out of 5
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  • Read 7 Reviews
Total Time:
30 min
Prep
10 min
Cook
20 min
Yield:
4 servings
Level:
Easy
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Use the dip and meatballs when you have holiday parties as easy snacks or, combine with orzo to serve as a delicious dinner. The meatballs freeze well.

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

Directions

Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Place a cooling rack over 2 baking sheets for roasting the meatballs and toasting the pita.

Soak the bread in the milk. Peel the cucumber and grate into a strainer. Salt it and let it drain for 20 minutes.

Pour the EVOO into a bowl, then add the meat and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Squeeze out the bread and crumble between your fingers as you add it to the meat. Add the mint, onions, oregano, cinnamon, 2 of the garlic cloves, egg and 1/2 of the lemon juice, and mix to combine.

Using a small ice cream scoop, form the meat mixture into about 24 balls and place on the baking sheet. Roast to golden brown, 15 to 18 minutes. Remove the meatballs from the oven and place the broiler on high. Char the pita under the broiler, 30 seconds to 1 minute on each side.

Press the cucumber in the strainer to get out the excess water and add to a food processor. Then add the yogurt, dill, remaining 1 clove garlic, zest and remaining juice of the lemon. Season the sauce with cumin and salt and process until smooth.

Serve the meatballs with the sauce and pitas and alongside the Orzo with Feta and Walnuts.

Orzo with Feta and Walnuts:

  • 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

Heat a medium pot of water to a boil. Salt the water and cook the orzo to al dente, 7 minutes. Toast the walnuts until fragrant in small pan over medium heat. Combine the orzo with the walnuts, parsley, feta and a drizzle of EVOO and season with pepper.

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Newest Ratings and Reviews

Read all 7 reviews

  • on April 15, 2013

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    Loved it! I didn't make the tzatziki. The meatballs and orzo were wonderful together. I made exactly as directed, except that I added some diced kalamata olives to the orzo - delicious. My husband grew up in Greece and loved this recipe. I served it all with sliced fresh cucumber.

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  • on March 06, 2013

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    I'm giving this 5 stars even though I didn't make the tzatziki. The meatballs and orzo side dish were perfect together and I thought the sauce would be too much. Maybe the sauce would be good if you were serving the meatballs as appetizers. Definitely going to make these again.

    people found this review Helpful.
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  • on February 27, 2013

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    One of the best recipes I have tried as of late. The meatballs are moist and flavorful, the dip is wonderful and the orzo was great. My husband and I both loved it. Will be a staple in the recipe box. Highly recommend.

    people found this review Helpful.
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