Creamy Meatballs aka Tefteli

Hi everyone !!!

Today, I am so excited to share a recipe of my all time favorite Ukrainian dish – Tefteli.

These Tefteli are made with addition of rice,  which gives them an incredibly soft and juicy flavor. This dish has a hint of creamy tomato sauce, with rich garlicky flavor. I looooove to add Italian parsley into this sauce. It adds freshness to this dish.

Busy moms!!!! This meal is freezing-friendly 🙂 I know how having a freezer packed with yummy homemade meals can be a real life saver!

Very easy to make in less than an hour!!!

Ingredients:

1 lb ground pork or ground chicken ( which ever you prefer). I used pork this time

1 cup shredded carrots

1 cup chopped onions

Extra light olive oil

1 cup cooked rice

1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, shredded

1 egg

1/2 cup flour

2-3 garlic cloves

3 tomatoes

1/2 cup lukewarm water

2 cups heavy cream

salt and pepper

italian parsley

Heat Oil in the cooking pan. Saute carrots and onions until they are almost ready ( 5-8 minutes). Season vegetables with a little bit of salt and pepper.

In a large bowl, combine meat, vegetables, cooked rice, an egg, Parmesan, season with salt and pepper to taste. Mix well. Roll the meat into balls, then roll the balls in flour. I like to use a tea spoon to make them all even:)

Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add oil (about 1/4 cup). Place meatballs on a preheated skillet and sauté for about 3-4 minutes on each side until golden brown.

Remove to a oven safe baking pot.

Time for the sauce!

Heat heavy cream in a pan. Meanwhile, using a blender, blend the tomatoes, garlic, water, 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp ground pepper very well. Add the freshly blended tomato sauce the the heavy cream. Simmer everything together for a minute or so.

Pour the creamy tomato sauce over Tefteli. Shake the pot around to coat the Tefteli with the sauce well.

Sprinkle on top with Italian parsley and serve warm.

You can serve them over spaghetti, mashed potatoes or buckwheat . These Meatballs  will make any side dish a extra ordinary.

Enjoy and remember : any homemade dish made with love is always the best dish ever:)!!