Mititel (Romanian Meat Balls)

Prep Time:

Cook Time:

Yields: 6

Description
These are spicy garlicky http://http://romanianfood.co.uk/mezeluri-romanin-food-uk/mititei-romanesti

Ingredients

 * One third each ground pork, lamb and beef for a total of 2-2.5 lbs meat (see note about meat in comments below)
 * 1 tablespoon baking soda
 * 2 tablespoons salt
 * 1 tablespoon pepper
 * 1/2 tablespoon coriander
 * 1/2 tablespoon cumin
 * 1/2 tablespoon dried thyme
 * 10 cloves garlic
 * 1/4 cup water or vegetable/beef stock

Directions
'''NOTE: Keep a bowl of water handy to wet hands (this prevents the meat from sticking to fingers). '''
 * Mix well all the ingredients together
 * Beat either water or vegetable/beef stock into the mixture
 * Leave mixture in fridge to set for a couple of hours or ideally overnight - this is an important step that aids the meat in coming out tender
 * Form into little 3-4 inch sausage shapes
 * Grill on very hot grill, turn once
 * Serve with bread rolls and mustard

To get this right, if you have access to a butcher, double grind the meat and ask the butcher to include fattier pieces or mix in some pork fat in the mixture - this will melt off on the grill, but it keeps the meat rolls moist and tender

Romanians eat mici with mustard inside a bread roll - add a cold beer and a lazy summer evening and you are in heaven.