Moldovan Mititei

Cooking method

1. Step 1:

   

   How do you make Moldovan mititei? Start by prepping your ingredients. The meat is usually a 50/50 mix of ground pork and beef, but use whatever you like — any kind of meat works. Store-bought or home-ground both do the job. Reach for cornstarch if you can; it makes the mititei more tender.

2. Step 2:

   

   Put the ground meat in a bowl and add the cornstarch, salt, baking soda, and ground black pepper.

3. Step 3:

   

   Peel and mince the garlic, then add it to the bowl. You can mince it however is easiest — with a knife, a grater, or a garlic press. Mix everything until evenly combined.

4. Step 4:

   

   Pour the milk into the meat and mix well again. You may need anywhere from 60 to 100 ml (about 1/4 to 1/2 cup), depending on how moist your meat is. Add the milk a little at a time and watch the texture to see if it needs more.

5. Step 5:

   

   To firm up the mixture, you need to slap it well. Grab a handful, lift it above the bowl, and throw it back down. Do this about 15 times. This step matters! The slapping helps the mititei hold together as tight little sausages that won't fall apart while cooking. Cover the bowl with a lid or plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 3 hours.

6. Step 6:

   

   Divide the chilled mixture into equal portions and shape them into little sausages about 3 inches (7 cm) long and 1 inch (2–3 cm) thick. Dampen your hands with cold water now and then to keep the meat from sticking.

7. Step 7:

   

   Pour vegetable oil into a skillet and heat it over medium. Add the mititei and brown them on all sides. Take the skillet off the heat. Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C).

8. Step 8:

   

   Peel the onion and slice it into half-moons. Spread the onion evenly over the bottom of a baking dish, then arrange the browned mititei on top.

9. Step 9:

   

   Add the peppercorns and bay leaves to the dish.

10. Step 10:

    

    Pour in enough water to come halfway up the sausages.

11. Step 11:

    

    Put the dish in the oven preheated to 350°F (180°C) and bake for 30 minutes. The time and temperature are approximate — go by your own oven. The mititei should be nicely browned on top.

12. Step 12:

    

    Take them out of the oven, plate them along with the onions, and serve.

13. Step 13:

    

    Enjoy!