Giouvarlakia Avgolemono (Rice Meatballs In Egg-Lemon Sauce) - cooking recipe

Ingredients

Meatballs
2 slices whole wheat bread (crusts removed, soaked in milk & squeezed dry)
1 1/2 lbs ground lamb or 1 1/2 lbs ground beef
1/2 cup rice (uncooked)
2 tablespoons parsley, chopped or 2 teaspoons dried parsley
2 tablespoons celery, chopped
1 teaspoon crushed dried mint flakes
1 teaspoon dried oregano
2 teaspoons olive oil
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
2 quarts water or 2 quarts chicken stock
Egg-Lemon Sauce
3 eggs, separated
1 lemon, juice of
1 1/2 cups meatball broth
2 tablespoons butter

Preparation

Put bread and ground beef in a bowl, and mix and knead thoroughly.
Add rice, parsley, celery, mint, oregano, olive oil, salt, and pepper, and mix well.
In a soup kettle, bring about 2 qt water to a furious boil.
Keeping the water boiling, shape the meat into little round balls (about the size of walnuts) and gently drop them into the boiling water.
Continue boiling for about 1/2 hour, and then set aside.
Beat the whites of 3 eggs until frothy, but not stiff and shiny.
Constantly beating, add the yolks until well mixed.
Still beating add the lemon juice drop by drop.
Bring butter and broth to a boil.
Add this to the egg-lemon mixture, beating continuously.
Place over VERY low heat, stirring in a S or X pattern (stirring round& round will cause sauce to curdle) until froth is almost broken down and sauce thickens.
Serve hot.