Keftedes aka Meatballs w/o Gluten

1 lb lean ground beef
1 tbsp dried oregano
1/2 tbsp dried mint
2 tbsp dried garlic granules
1-1/2 to 2 cups corn meal
1-1/2 tbsp ouzo
2 eggs
1-1/2 tsp sea salt
1/2 tsp ground black pepper

Mix all the ingredients together in a large glass bowl by hand. I find it incorporates the best when you use your hands. If the mixture becomes to moist add some more corn meal. If the mixture becomes too dry and crumbly add some milk. The perfect consistency should be a firm dough like texture. Let marinate for about an hour before forming meat balls.

Preheat Oven to 375F
Cooking time will vary depending on your oven and what size you make your meatballs. I make mine about 1" in diameter. They take about 10-15 minutes to cook. I also cook them on the middle rack on a cookie sheet lined with a silicone mat. I like to brown my meatballs after they've been cooked under the broiler for an additional 5 minutes before serving. This recipe usually makes 36 or more 1" meatballs. Once the meatballs are cooked, you can serve them with dipping sauce of your choice. I usually make a tzatziki sauce to go with it.

Enjoy :)

Tomatoless Greek Salad

This one is for Beau, he doesn't like tomatoes. But for those who are making this salad for a large crowd of people that are tomato lovers like myself. I would make it with whole cherry tomatoes and the non tomatoe lovers can pick them out. This recipe Serves 4

1 green pepper diced

1 red pepper diced

1 yellow pepper diced

1 red onion diced

1 english cucumber diced

1/4 cup feta cheese crumbled

1/2 cup whole kalamata olives pitted

1 garlic crushed garlic clove

3 tbsp dried oregano

3 tbsp fresh lemon juice

zest of 1 lemon

2 tbsp olive oil

fresh cracked black pepper

sea salt to taste

(If you want tomatoes in this recipe simply just add 1 pint of cherry tomatoes to the pepper & cucumber mixture)

In a large mixing bowl combine green, red, yellow peppers with cucumber. Set aside. In a smaller bowl combine red onion with oregano, lemon juice, lemon zest, black pepper and sea salt. Let the onions marinate for about an hour and add olive oil and mix well. 

Then pour the onion mixture into the peppers and cucumber bowl. Toss well and sprinkle with feta & olives. Add additional salt & pepper to taste.

Voila! Bon Appetit :)