Minced Meat Rissoles with Cummin - (Soutzoukakia Smirneika)

         INGREDIENTS

3 thick slices of bread, soaked in water 500 gr. finely minced beef 1 egg 2-3 cloves garlic, peeled and crushed 2 teaspoons cummin salt and pepper 1 glass white wine 30 gr. flour, for frying 3 tablespoons vegetable oil 2 tablespoones olive oil 3 tablespoons tomato puree or 1200 gr. can tomatoes, liquidized roughly chopped parsley, to garnish Serves 4 persons as a main course! Serves 7 persons as a starter, allowing 2 per person!

COOKING INSTRUCTIONS Soak the bread in water for 10 minutes and discard the crust. Squeeze the water from the bread and mix with the mince, egg, garlic, cummin, salt and pepper and 3 tablespoons of the wine. (The best results for mixing are always achieved by using your hands.) When properly mixed make long thin shapes, like fat cigars, about the length of your finger (around 15 of them), roll them in the flour and fry in the vegetable oil on medium heat, making sure that they are crisp all over. In the meantime, put the olive oil in a saucepan and, when it is warm, add the tomatoes and the rest of the wine and cook slowly for 5 minutes, stirring and making sure it does not stick. Add the soutzoukakia as they come out of the frying pan, roll them in the torrato sauce, add a little more water if needed, cover and cook slowly for 10 minutes. Garnish with chopped parsley. With its rich sauce it can be served with plain white rice, or mashed potatoes as a main dish. It can also be a very good starter for a dinner party. GREEK WINE SUGGESTIONS Enjoy these delicious soutzoukakia either with chilled RETSINA (for the traditionals) or with a  red of NEMEA AGIORGITIKO (for those who love easy going wines), or even with a classic  red from RAPSANI P.O.D. (blend of Xinomavro - Krassato - Stavroto) and/or a fresh CABERNET SAUVIGNON from Kavala region, North Greece, if a robust red is your taste! We are sure that you'll be amazed by those matches whatever will be your final choise! KALH PROTOMAGIA ( HAPPY MAY DAY) !!!