Lear how to make meatballs in tomato sauce as we make them in Georgia. The word “gupta“ comes from the Persian “kufta,” which inspired more than a dozen words for meatball-like specialties from Greece to India. Like kufta, they contain rice instead of some kind of bread as the starchy element in the meatballs. Our Georgian gupta are closer to some of these than to Italian-American meatballs. Tomato sauce is one well-known partner - but again, don’t think Italian-American “red sauce.” Georgians favor a slightly spicy sauce, with both sweet and hot peppers and a shower of fresh herbs.
The usual meat is beef though in New York I sometimes substitute ground turkey. Gupta can stand on their own as a meat course.
Ingredients for Gupta Meatballs
For the meatballs
1/3 cup/70g short-grain rice
¼ teaspoon salt
1 ½ pounds/680g ground beef, preferably chuck
1 medium onion, minced
2-3 garlic cloves, minced
1 egg, beaten
A handful of flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped (about ½ cup/20g)
1 ½ teaspoons salt
Freshly ground black pepper
1/3 cup/40g all-purpose flour, more as needed
4 tablespoons sunflower oil or mild extra-virgin olive oil
For the tomato sauce
Remaining oil from browning meatballs
1 medium onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, chopped
2 ½ cups/~700g ripe tomatoes, peeled and chopped, or canned tomatoes, crushed
1 red bell pepper (~ 6 ounces/170g), cored, deseeded, and coarsely chopped
½ to 1 red serrano chile pepper or other hot pepper, deseeded and sliced (optional but desirable)
A handful of flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped (about ½ cup/20g), plus a little more for garnish
A handful of cilantro, finely chopped (about ½ cup/20g)
A small handful of purple or green basil, chopped (about ¼ cup/10g)
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Cooking with Tamada’s Table will bring the finest recipes, seasonal dishes and authentic tastes of Georgian cuisine to your table. You will cook and learn from a Georgian who understands the perspectives and tastes of the cuisine, while advising on how to source specialty spices.
Georgian cuisine is unique. Fresh herbs - cilantro, tarragon, mint, summer savory, celery - will move into your kitchen and brighten your life and table, providing enormous health benefits as well. Ground walnuts are used in many dishes, instead of oil, and you can even cook meat without adding any fat. There are lots of vegan dishes, including a range of cold vegetable dishes (pkhali) with walnuts, fresh herbs and exotic spices from the Silk Road.
If you guys like this video, please LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and SHARE it with your family and friends! The more people we can reach, the more we can spread the pleasures of Georgian Cuisine. Thank you!
Find many more Georgian recipes on Tamada's Table KZread channel.
For more about Georgian food, wine and me……
Official Website: www.TamadasTable.com
Official Facebook Page: / tamadas-table-27525519...
Instagram: / tamadastable
For inquiries, contact us at TamadasTable@gmail.com