This recipe comes from Kalyn’s Kitchen (kalynskitchen.com), one of the best recipe sites for anyone on the South Beach diet plan.  The South Beach plan is a high-protein, low-carbohydrate plan that utilizes three stages of the plan:  Stage One is a strict regimen of high-protein eating; Stage Two adds a small amount of carbs, and Stage Three is maintenance.  It avows fruits almost completely, which is why I won’t get anywhere near it—I follow the Weight Watchers’ program.  But it is a good plan for losing significant weight fast.  I find that it is a harder diet to maintain for long periods, and doesn’t set up a life-long eating plan, which I need to maintain weight.  I find that the best way to maintain a good healthy weight is to adopt a lifestyle that includes lots of different foods in moderation.

That said, the recipes in Kalyn’s Kitchen are wonderful as standalone recipes, and can be made and served anytime.  On their own, they are healthy and tasty, and ought not be disregarded because they come from a certain diet plan.  Check out Kalyn’s kitchen when you have time, and enjoy her recipes.

Ingredients:

1 pound lean ground beef (or turkey)

½ small red onion, minced

½ cup very finely crumbled feta cheese (measure cheese after crumbling)

2 cloves garlic, minced fine

1 large egg

1 Tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil plus more for baking dish

1 Tablespoon dried Greek oregano

4 teaspoons red wine vinegar

¼ teaspoon sea salt

¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1 teaspoon Greek seasoning (optional; but use, and get it from Penzey’s:  http://www.penzeys.com/cgi-bin/penzeys/p-penzeysgreekseas.html)

Preparation:

Preheat oven to 400ºF.  Use a food processor to chop the onion very finely, then drain if there is a lot of liquid.

Combine all ingredients in a bowl, then mix with your hands (Is there really any other way to mix meatballs?).

Lightly oil a 9×13 baking dish; shape meatballs into 1-tablespoon-size meatballs and place in the baking dish.  Bake for 20 minutes, after which you will see some liquid oozing out.  Turn the meatballs and bake 10 more minutes. Turn again and bake another 5-10 minutes, until they are well browned and cooked through.

Serve with warm pitas and Tzatziki sauce.