Hasan Pasa Meatballs

(Hasan Pasa Koftesi)

Meatball ingredients:
500 gr medium ground beef
2 medium size onion, grated
1 garlic clove, smashed
2 slices Italian bread, throw away the crusts, soak in water and squeeze the water out
1 egg
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper

Mashed potato:
4 medium sized potatoes, boiled and peeled
100 ml milk
1 tbsp butter
1 tsp salt
1 egg, lightly beaten

Garnish:
2-3 tbsp mozzarella, grated

Sauce:
4-5 tbsp crushed tomato, mixed with 3/4 cup water
Salt
Pepper

Smash boiled potatoes in a pot, and add the milk, butter and salt. Stir on medium heat then add the egg into the mixture. Put aside.

Preheat the oven to 400 F (205 C). Knead all the meatball ingredients. Make them into ball shapes (see picture). Make a hole in the middle of each meatball with your thumb. Fill it in with the mashed potatoes using a teaspoon. Place them on a large casserole dish. Cook for about 25 minutes in the oven.

Take the casserole dish out, put the mozzarella cheese on top of the meatballs. Pour 1 tbsp of sauce on each piece. Pour the rest of the sauce between the meatballs. Put back in the oven for another 10 minutes.

Serve with Pilaf with Almonds (or any other kind of pilaf) and Red Cabbage Salad.