Chirpanski meatballs / Кюфтета по Чирпански
- Gergana Georgieva
- Mar 14, 2017
- 3 min read
Dear Loves,
This one is one of my favorites... Real classic and traditional Bulgarian dish. There are different variety of this dish... some people cook it as a meatballs in tomato sauce without the vegetables, for me the real and authentic way is this. That is why if you decide to try it - do it this way, it has more flavor and you will get much more from it. I wish my pictures could have the ability to catch not just the visual beauty of it but the aroma too.... The whole apartment was infused with the divine mix of flavors coming out of the oven... even my neighbors knew at that point that one of my delicious master pieces it is on it's way to my dinner table tonight...they weren't wrong ...it was delicioso ...

Ingredients
For the meatballs
1 1/2 pounds of ground beef
1 cup of bread crumbs ( I use - Italian style ) instead the traditional - 2 slices of bread
1 egg
1 small onion
2 tea spoons of cumin
5 tablespoons all purpose flour ( or what you have)
ground black pepper and salt to taste
oil (sunflower) for frying
For the sauce
2 large carrots
2 onions
4 yellow potatoes
2 green and 2 red Cubanelle peppers
1 can diced tomatoes / or 2 large fresh grated tomatoes
1 cup of water
1 tablespoon paprika
1/4 cup of parsley ( can be dried too )
2 stalks of celery ( I don't put any in mine )
salt and black pepper to taste
Directions
Cut the onion in small pieces (no crying allowed) add to a bowl with the rest of the ingredients for the meatballs - those meatballs will get very thirsty and they will need at least a good cup of water or half a can of beer ( I think they will prefer the second option and that will make them happier, but is up to you and what you have on hand). After the meat mix is ready, shape the meatballs and line them in a pan and put them for at least 30 minutes in the refrigerator... use that half an hour for prepping the sauce. All the veggies need some love too - cut them in large pieces that way they don't shrink a lot and don't loose their flavor. At this point after you cut those babies and got them all happy and ready, your meatballs will be done resting and bored, that is why it's time for them to shine and dance (lol, I mean - literally). Next thing on your list is - get the flour and a shallow bowl - drop each meatball in the flour and make sure it gets covered from all angles, that will prevent them from falling a part ( geez, who will want to eat a depressed meatballs ... no one - at our kitchens we strive for excellence and most importantly we use our happy formula : happy + food = happy tummies ) . I'm getting so excited - it is dance time a.k.a - frying ze meatballs in a bubbly sunny oil ...we want them to get just a little tanned, not to burn ( I don't have a sunscreen to save them ), because ones you done they will be added to a their party buddies and go in the real deal heat - 400 F where everyone will be hot and steamy for at least for 1hour and 40 minutes or until all the Mr. & Mrs. Potato Heads said they are done... but before that happens, use the grease from the frying to fry in it your veggies (do not include the potatoes or the tomatoes) add the tomatoes last, they have acid in them and it will prevent the other veggies for cooking faster - don't forget that - always add the tomatoes last in all your soups or dishes, unless is said in the recipe otherwise. Ones they start to open to you and show you their soft side add 2 tablespoons of flour, 1 cup of water and the 🍅 let them simmer and chat for a little bit. Sprinkle them with paprika, salt, black pepper, parsley and pour that goodness over the waiting potatoes in your pan ....make some space now for the meatballs too. Now officially is Party time in da houze...as I said earlier : 400 F degrees - 180 -190 Celsius for at least 100 minutes.
This is before the party pic 🍽📷

If the meatball start to get way too dark, put over them some baking foil and continue the party. Take off the foil in the last 5 -10 minutes , that way it will have this nice color.
This is after party pic :)

I hope you and your family will enjoy this meal and all the tummies will be happy!!
Bon appétit!
Love Mom,
xoxo
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