Mititei, sometimes called mici, is a type of Romanian dish that is normally made of beef, lamb, pork, or a combination of these meats. The meats are usually ground and then shaped into rolls or balls. It may be flavored with spices such as garlic, paprika, and pepper. The dish is usually prepared on a grill or over an open flame but might also be broiled, baked, or pan-fried.
This dish is thought to have originated in the restaurant of a country inn in Romania. It is believed the chef ran out of sausage, so a combination of meats was formed into a roll and then grilled. This substitute was well received and spread widely to other parts of the country.
Mititei is often made from ground beef along with lamb or pork. These meats are mixed together until they are well blended and then formed into meatballs or small rolls that are similar in size and shape to sausage links. Rolls are normally around three inches (7.62 cm) long, and meatballs are often around one inch (2.54 cm) in diameter.
The meat rolls may have other ingredients such as vinegar, broth, or mustard added to them. Mustard might also be used to garnish the dish. Some people also like to add spices such as caraway, paprika, salt, pepper, garlic, and thyme to the raw meat mixture before shaping it.
After the ingredients have been shaped, they are normally cooked on a charcoal grill over an open flame. They might also be prepared on a gas grill. Mititei are sometimes placed on skewers before being grilled because this helps with turning and handling the meat. They might also be placed in an oven and broiled or baked.
Mititei can be eaten as a main course or as an appetizer. It is often paired with potatoes and salad when eaten as an entree. When served as an appetizer, it may accompany soup. The meatballs can also be used to make either hot or cold sandwiches.
This Romanian dish can be easy for a beginner to make. It can also be easy to adjust the recipe by adding different types of meat and spices until the cook finds a combination she likes. Mititei can be eaten for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. People who are looking for a versatile dish that is easy and fun to prepare may want to consider making this food.
