Greek Style Beef and Rice Meatballs with Lemon Olive Oil Sauce
In the Greek dish called youvarlakia avgolemono, beef and rice meatballs dot a lemony soup that’s rich and velvety with egg yolks. To simplify, we pair the meatballs with a quick pan sauce inspired by Greek ladolemono, a simple sauce of lemon, olive oil and sometimes herbs. A generous amount of chopped dill lends the dish fresh herbal notes. Serve with warmed pita bread or a rice or orzo pilaf.
2slicesof hearty white sandwich bread, torn into small pieces
1cupbeef broth, divided
4tbspfinely chopped dill, divided
kosher salt and ground black pepper
1lb85 percent lean ground beef
1large egg yolk
3medium garlic cloves, finely grated
2tspdried oregano, divided
5tbspTrattore Farms Manzanilla, Il Mezzo or Meyer Lemon Olive Oil
2tbsplemon Juice
Instructions
CREATE PATTY MIXTURE
In a large bowl, mash the rice with a fork until smooth and pasty. Add the bread, ¼ cup of broth, 2 tablespoons of dill, 1½ teaspoons salt and 1 teaspoon pepper. Using your hands, mix and mash the ingredients to a paste.
Add the beef, egg yolk, half of the garlic and 1 teaspoon of oregano, then mix with your hands until the mixture is homogeneous. Divide into 12 portions, form into smooth balls and place on a plate. Refrigerate, uncovered, for about 10 minutes.
COOK MEATBALLS
In a 12-inch nonstick skillet over medium-high, heat 2 tablespoons of oil until shimmering. Add the meatballs and cook without disturbing until lightly browned on the bottoms, about 3 minutes.
Carefully turn the meatballs and cook until browned on the second sides, about another 3 minutes. Add the remaining garlic and the remaining 1 teaspoon oregano and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
Add the remaining ¾ cup broth, then scrape up any browned bits. Bring to a simmer, then cover, reduce to medium-low and cook, gently stirring once or twice, until the centers reach 160°F, 5 to 7 minutes.
FINISH AND SERVE
Using tongs, transfer the meatballs to a serving dish and tent with foil. Bring the liquid in the pan to a boil over medium-high and cook, stirring occasionally, until thick enough that a spatula drawn through it leaves a trail, 2 to 3 minutes.
Off heat, whisk in the remaining 3 tablespoons olive oil and the lemon juice. Taste and season with salt and pepper. Pour the sauce over the meatballs and sprinkle with the remaining 2 tablespoons dill.