Greek - Style Beef Meatballs- (Soutzoukakia)

Meatballs

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F

Grate onions and cook with oil, garlic and pinch of salt in large saucepan over medium heat. Stir until onions are soft but not brown about 15-20 minutes.

Transfer half of the onions to large bowl and set aside

Stir flour into remaining onion and cook on medium heat about 30 seconds, stirring constantly. Whisk in water and whisk constantly about 1 minute-mixture will thicken

Stir in tomato sauce and diced tomatoes, bay leaves, and 1/4 tsp cinnamon and bring to simmer.

Remove from heat and keep warm.

Bring out your reserved bowl of onions and add milk and panko to it and stir to combine. Let settle until panko is softened about 1 minute. Stir in parsley, eggs, cumin, pepper, remaining 1 3/4 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp cinnamon. Stir all together.

Add beef and knead with hands or wooden spoon-easier with hands

Divide meat into about 16 - 20 even portions and shape into football shape to keep the traditional look.

Place meatballs into 9x13 or other oven safe baking dish.

Top with tomato sauce and cover with aluminum foil

Bake for about 1 hour until meatballs cooked through. Let rest about 20 minutes. Then discard bay leaves and serve with rice.