Classic Meat Patties with Milk-Soaked Bread

Cooking method

1. Step 1:

   

   Gather the ingredients from the list. You can use any ground meat — pork, beef, chicken, or a blend — depending on how rich you want the finished dish. Store-bought ground meat works, but grinding your own from fresh meat is better, since you know exactly what's in it.

2. Step 2:

   

   You can use white sandwich bread or a baguette, and it doesn't have to be fresh — day-old bread works fine. Cut off the crusts, tear the crumb into small pieces, put it in a bowl, and pour warm milk over it. Warming the milk first helps the bread soak faster.

3. Step 3:

   

   Peel the onion and mince it finely with a knife. If you're grinding your own meat, you can run the onion through the grinder along with it. For extra aroma you can add a couple of garlic cloves, but that's optional — what matters is the onion, which gives the patties both flavor and juiciness.

4. Step 4:

   

   Add the ground meat and onion to the bowl with the bread (there's no need to squeeze the milk out of the crumb).

5. Step 5:

   

   Crack in the egg and season with salt and ground black pepper to taste. If you like your patties with more aromatic flavor, add a seasoning or spice you enjoy — khmeli-suneli (a Georgian herb blend), ground coriander, or paprika.

6. Step 6:

   

   Mix the ingredients thoroughly until the mixture is smooth and even. It helps to knead and slap the meat mixture so the patties come out softer, more tender, and fluffier. You can do this as you shape them — just toss each portion from hand to hand a bit longer.

7. Step 7:

   

   Roll the shaped patties in wheat flour spread on a plate, or in breadcrumbs for a crispier crust. Pour vegetable oil into the skillet and heat it up.

8. Step 8:

   

   Fry the patties on both sides until golden brown. Then pour in half a cup of water, lower the heat to its lowest setting, cover the skillet, and let the patties braise for about 25 minutes. By then all the liquid should have evaporated. Turn off the heat and remove the lid. Let the patties dry out a bit in the pan, then serve. Enjoy!