Kotleti

Kotleti - is Russian for meatballs or mini burger patties. I thought i would share with you my version of it adapted from my family recipe. You see unfortunately I do not own a meat grinder. The old-world one, the sort that is made of heavy duty metal and requires you to turn the handle manually to operate. I am determined though to bring my grandma's one some day to America even if it will cost me arm and leg with the suite case overweight. This thing makes the juiciest most delicious kotleti ever! And you do it by grinding the meat, onions and the white bread soaked in milk together.

So while in here I was determined to recreate them by using what I have. The trick is to puree onion with white bread soaked in milk in a blender. Or you can also use regular bread crumb. In that case you just add them together with 1 tbs of milk to the meat mixture .

I think I was able to make them as close as possible to the taste I know from my childhood.

Here is how you do it.

1lb of 93 % beef

1 onion,

1-2 Tbs of milk

1 slice of white bread (0,5 '' wide)

1 egg

some chopped parsley

salt, pepper

1 tsp oregano

1 tsp cumin

Start by pureeing onion and bread soaked in milk together. Then in a bowl mix all of the ingredients including the onion mixture by hand. Form patties and fry 3-4 at a time in a pan with the cover on. You would want your heat to be medium low. And it requires very little oil too, just to prevent from sticking. Kotleti will cook very quickly. About 2-3 minutes per side.

Serve with mashed potatoes, rice or on top of your bread for a delicious quick lunch .

Enjoy!