Ukrainian Kotleti (meatballs)
What can I say, Kotleti dish is a must in every Ukrainian family. Every Ukrainian eats kotleti, which are everyone’s childhood favorite. It is a great after school snack or can be a nice dinner if you will add a side dish ( rice or mashed potatoes ) and a fresh salad. One time, I had a chance to watch one mama cooking kotleti, and it was so funny, how after she cooked first round of them and placed on a plate to cool down, they were gone in seconds, she didn’t even had a time to start second round. Well she has 6 kids and all of them looove kotleti:)
When do I like to make kotleti?! If I know, that I am planning to be busy the next day and I want to have something in my fridge ready to be served at any time, I make them. They are very yummy, juicy and I love the dill flavor inside of them a lot. It adds a freshness to them. Usually, I make a lot of kotleti, because we can eat them few days. Each time, I make different side dishes and different varieties of salads. That way our meals looks interesting every time:)
Смачного! Enjoy!
Ingredients:
1 lb ground pork
1 lb ground chicken
1 medium onion, grated
1 tbsp sour cream
2 medium garlic cloves (minced)
2 tbsp chopped baby dill
1/2 cup milk
1 cup bread crumbs (panko)
1/4 tsp black pepper
1 tbsp salt (or to taste)
Oil for frying
1/2 cup Italian seasoned bread crumbs for coating
Directions:
1. In a small bowl combine panko bread crumbs and milk and mix it well with a spoon. Let it seat for few minutes. Meanwhile, grate the onions on a smallest side of the grater. Add sour cream into the onion and mix together.
2. Add all ingredients + Panko breadcrumbs into a mixing bowl and mix well. Cover with a plastic food wrap and place in the refrigerator for about an hour. I like how it’s easy to form the kotleti perfectly into a balls after the meat was in the fridge.
3. Add Italian breadcrumbs into a rack and place shaped kotleti over breadcrumbs. Coat them well on all sides.
Tip: if you will work with wet hands, the meat will not stick to your hands 🙂
4. Heat large skillet with a good amount of oil ( make sure oil covers the bottom of the pan). Place kotleti into a hot skillet and cook them for 5 minutes on each side on a medium heat.
Enjoy them hot with any side dish you like:)
