Soutzoukakia (Greek Meatballs In Tomato Sauce) - cooking recipe

Ingredients

For the soutzoukakia
2 lbs ground beef
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 teaspoon cumin seed
1/4 cup dry white wine
1 cup white bread, soaked in the wine
1 egg
1/4 cup olive oil
flour
pepper, to taste
salt, to taste
For the sauce
2 cups tomatoes, peeled and chopped
2 cups vegetable stock
wine (reserved from soaking the bread)
1 teaspoon butter
pepper, to taste
salt, to taste
1 teaspoon cumin seed
1/2 - 1 teaspoon cinnamon

Preparation

For the meatballs, mix the ground beef, garlic, cumin, white wine, bread (squeeze out the wine and reserve to be used in the sauce) and egg.
Season to taste with salt and pepper.
Shape into approximately 30 sausage shaped patties, roll in flour and fry in oil until cooked through.
Remove from pan, set aside on a plate covered with paper towels.
For the sauce, bring the tomatoes stock and butter to a boil.
Add the wine and the seasoning and simmer until sauce beginns to thicken.
When the sauce starts to thicken, add the soutzoukakias and simmer for a further ten minutes.