Čufti, the Slovenian Meatball Dish That Tastes Better Than You'd Expect
Today, we're making Čufti, a classic Slovenian meatball dish that's perfect for some warm comfort food. This easy recipe uses fresh ingredients, making it a beginner-friendly option for home cooking and a great addition to your dinner ideas. This cooking video shows you exactly how to make it!
This beginner-friendly recipe for Čufti, the Slovenian Meatball Dish That Tastes Better Than You'd Expect shows:
• how to season and rest the meat properly
• how to shape and brown čufti so they stay tender
• how to make the traditional Slovenian tomato sauce
• how to finish everything gently in the oven
Feeds up to 12 people.
🔹Ingredients:🔹
Meat seasoning:
1 kg / 2.2 lbs mixed (beef & pork) ground meat
12g / ⅔ tbsp salt
½ tsp garlic powder
¼ tsp black pepper
½ tsp dried marjoram
½ tsp dried thyme
½ tsp dried oregano
1 tsp sweet paprika
¼ tsp smoked paprika
Meatballs and sauce:
1 medium egg
2 medium shallots
4 tbsp olive oil
3 cloves or garlic
100 ml / ⅓ cup dry white wine
60 g / ⅓ cup of rice
5-6 sprigs of parsley
1 L / 3 ½ cups passata
250 ml / ~1 cup water
½ tsp oregano
½ tsp thyme
½ tsp basil
1 tsp soy sauce
1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
½ tsp salt
3–4 tbsp sugar
2 bay leaves
flour for dusting
🔹Preparation:🔹
1.) (Day 1) Mix ground pork and beef thoroughly with spices by hand until evenly combined. Transfer to a zip-lock bag and let it rest overnight in the fridge for better flavour.
2.) (Day 2) Sauté half of the diced shallots with a pinch of sugar and salt, add olive oil, garlic, and deglaze with white wine. Toast the rice briefly, mix everything together, finish with parsley, and let it cool slightly.
3.) Take the rested meat out of the fridge, mix in one egg, then add the cooled rice mixture. Combine well until everything is evenly incorporated.
4.) Lightly flour your hand, shape the mixture into firm meatballs, squeeze well so they hold their shape, and coat lightly with flour for better browning.
5.) Brown the meatballs in olive oil in batches until nicely coloured on all sides. Remove and set aside. In the same pan, sauté the remaining shallots with a pinch of sugar and salt, deglaze with white wine, then transfer everything to a pot.
6.) Add garlic, parsley, passata, water, herbs, seasoning, sugar, and bay leaves to the pot. Simmer for 5–7 minutes, then gently add the meatballs and coat them in the sauce.
7.) Cover the pot and cook in the oven at 160°C (320°F) for about 1 hour, until the meatballs are tender and the sauce is rich and smooth.
8.) Serve hot with mashed potatoes, or alternatively with rice, pasta, or polenta. Simple, comforting, and very Slovenian.
Čufti are comfort food at its best — simple ingredients, familiar flavours, and a dish that’s been passed down through generations. Perfect for anyone wanting to explore Slovenian cuisine or cook an easy, hearty dinner at home.
☑️Timestamps:
0:00 Intro
0:30 Seasoning meat
1:42 Ingredients prep
2:55 Making meatballs
4:10 Browning the meatballs
4:28 Sauce
5:32 Combine and cook
5:53 Serving
6:14 Outro - Call to Action
🎵 Music: Life of Riley - Kevin MacLeod
🍴 Welcome to Dragoony’s Bites – Easy, delicious, and heartwarming recipes for beginners, families, and food lovers! With 15+ years of cooking experience, I share comforting family favourites and exciting new dishes you can recreate at home. Simple steps, amazing flavours, and a touch of nostalgia in every bite.
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🔎 Related Phrases:
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