Braised Meatballs

Name: Braised Meatballs (Gupta გუფთა)
Prep time: 35 min
Cook time: 1 h 15 min
Total time: 1 h 50 min
Yield: Makes about 15
Cuisine: Georgia
Ingredients: 1 tsp coriander seeds, crushed; 1 440 g / 14 oz can tomato passata or crushed tomatoes; 2 bay leaves; 100 g / 3½ oz / ½ cup uncooked white rice or 1 cup cooked rice; 1 lt / 1 qt / 4 cups beef, chicken or vegetable stock; 1 small head of white, green or spring cabbage; 150 g / 5 oz / 1 cup roughly chopped onion; ¼ tsp black pepper; ½ tsp ground fenugreek; 20 g / ⅔ oz / ½ cup coarsely chopped fresh coriander / cilantro; 450 g / 1 lb ground beef; 2 eggs; 450 g / 1 lb ground pork; 1 tsp salt

Gupta გუფთა

Preparation info

Makes about
15

Difficulty
Easy
Ready in
1 hr 50

Appears in

Tasting Georgia

By Carla Capalbo

Published 2017

About

These substantial meatballs, from Grand Hotel Ushba, are perfect for a cold winter’s day in the mountains (or the city). They’re the size of a small apple, so two make a good-sized main course. Serve in small bowls with their cooking liquid and some of the cabbage. At a supra one per person should be plenty.

Ingredients

100 g / 3½ oz / ½ cup uncooked white rice or 1

Asia
Georgia
Main course
Spicy
Winter
Gluten-free

Method

Cook the rice according to package instructions. While the rice is cooking, prepare the other ingredients. Cool the rice before adding it.

In a food processor, process the onion and eggs with the spices until smooth. Add the rice and process again. Add half of each type of meat and process again. The mixture will be thick. If your processor is big enough, add the rest of the meat and pr