These porcupine meatballs baked in a rich sour cream and tomato sauce are a perfect mix of deliciousness and nostalgia!
Just a couple of days ago I wrote about my favourite childhood meal, the recipe that won me many friends including my parents-in-law! Curious?
Check out my best Vareniki recipe! And today I am sharing another childhood favourite, Porcupine Meatballs baked in sour cream and tomato sauce or as they are known in Russia ‘Tefteli’!
My mom made them a lot because there were never complaints when porcupine meatballs were for dinner. They are so delicious with mashed potatoes or if you want to go the real Russian way, try them with buckwheat kasha!
What are porcupine meatballs?
If you are not familiar with porcupine meatballs (hedgehog meatballs in Russian! :-)), you better listen up because you are going to LOVE them.
They are a combination of meat and rice and got their name because rice often pokes out of them and resembles porcupine quills! Predictably as a little girl I found it adorable!
What to serve with porcupine meatballs
Now there is this creamy tomato sauce. Let me clarify right away that I realise Russians don’t have a monopoly on ‘creamy tomato sauces’, admittedly they feature prominently in many cuisines but…this sauce does taste quite differently!
Most Russian and Ukrainian sauces have an onion and carrot base that gives them a slightly sweet and intensely delicious taste.
The onions and carrots are cooked in oil and butter for at least 15 minutes until their natural sugars are released and they become caramelised.
At that point you can just eat that stuff because it’s insanely good, so anything you add to the base is just bonus.
You aren’t doing too badly if that bonus is pureed plum tomatoes and sour cream. Who doesn’t love creamy stuff! Then there is dill. Dill finds its way in most Slavic dishes and they are better for it!
Well, let’s get to it and don’t forget to tell me how you liked them afterwards!
Porcupine meatballs are delicious with mashed potatoes. Don’t forget to make them!
Ingredients
For the porcupine meatballs
- 1/2 cup rice
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp butter
- 1 large onion chopped
- 1 large carrot grated
- 1 lbs ground beef extra lean
- 1 lbs ground pork extra lean
- 1 tbsp fresh dill chopped
- 2 tsp salt
- 0.5 tsp pepper
For the creamy tomato sauce
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp butter
- 1 large onion chopped
- 1 large carrot grated
- 2 cloves of garlic minced
- 1 tbsp fresh dill chopped
- 1 X14 oz/400g canned plum tomatoes
- 1 cup/250 ml chicken stock
- 3 tbsp sour cream full fat
- salt
Instructions
- Cook rice in plenty of water the same way you would cook pasta until al dente. Rice shouldn't be too soft- about 5 minutes. Drain and set aside.
- In a frying pan heat olive oil and butter. Cook onions and carrots over low heat for 10 minutes until tender.
- In a large bowl combine beef, pork, dill, onions, carrots, rice, salt and pepper.
- Roll meatballs, then brown them on all sides in a little oil but don't cook all the way through. Set aside.
- In a large and deep pan cook onions and carrots in olive oil and butter over low heat for at least 15 minutes until tender and caramelised, add minced garlic and cook for a few seconds while stirring, add dill, pureed plum tomatoes and stock, turn the heat up and bring to a boil.
- Take off the heat and stir in sour cream. Return the meatballs back to the pan and spoon the sauce over them. The sauce should nearly cover them. If it doesn't, add more stock.
- Bake covered at 300F/165C for 40 minutes, then uncover and bake 10 minutes longer. (If baked at a higher temperature sour cream tends to separate!)
Tatiana says
July 25, 2019 at 12:25 amI am native Russian and I always enjoy Tefteli… I do make them a little different but this recipe is quite authentic and similar to what my family has been using for generations. Hope everyone enjoys this. Thank you
Haeli says
March 31, 2019 at 6:07 amMaking this delicious recipe tonight. Just seeing if you sprinkle cheese over the top in the last 10mins of cooking? So can’t wait to try it once it’s done.
vikalinka says
March 31, 2019 at 9:08 amI usually don’t add cheese to these meatballs but it’s an excellent idea, Haeli!
Rachel says
March 30, 2019 at 3:39 amI can’t wait to make this more sophisticated version of a childhood favorite. You have become a favorite site for site for recipes. After trying your Beef Stroganoff recipe, which was delicious, I have pinned many more recipes to try. I enjoy the way “talk” the reader through each recipe. I look forward to many hours of cooking with you!
vikalinka says
March 30, 2019 at 10:32 amThank you so much, Rachel! I really appreciate your feedback. I am thrilled you enjoy my recipes.
Ted says
March 21, 2019 at 10:05 amThanks for great recipe!
I have a question. Is the rice used in this recipe either long-grain rice or short-grain rice?
because it is very hard to find long-grain rice in my country.
vikalinka says
March 21, 2019 at 11:45 amHi Ted, it doesn’t really make a difference what rice you use in this recipe. I used basmati only because is what I had. Feel free to use any rice you like or can find.
jj says
December 11, 2018 at 3:58 pmIs it possible to make ahead and freeze?
vikalinka says
December 11, 2018 at 8:24 pmAbsolutely!
Liza McArdle says
March 13, 2018 at 6:23 pmHi! These were really good! I made them for my book club meeting in which we discussed A Gentleman in Moscow. They were a huge hit and I’ll be making them again.
vikalinka says
March 15, 2018 at 5:20 pmSo pleased to hear that, Liza. A friend of mine recently mentioned that book to me as well. Did you enjoy it?
Abby says
January 26, 2018 at 3:34 pmIm excited to try this recipe. Can I make them with 2 pounds of ground beef? I don’t have any ground pork in the house.
vikalinka says
January 26, 2018 at 4:34 pmHi Abby, yes you can!
Angelique says
August 1, 2017 at 6:59 amI found your site looking for a beef stroganoff recipe (which I was planning to make tomorrow) and reading thru the comments saw the link for other recipes. Figured I take a quick peek and a few seconds scrolling I literally took a double take and squealed. My Mom made a “circa 1970s recipe card” version of this growing up and it’s one of those that I’ve always wanted a “real recipe” for but had no idea where to even begin to look. Funny too, I was just talking to her about this, so now I’m headed to the store in the morning and making this for dinner for her and my Father. I’m like a freaking kid Christmas morning excited right now….lol. Thanks for sharing your recipes with the world 😁 (I’m still making the stroganoff this week though)
vikalinka says
August 1, 2017 at 9:09 amThat is so awesome, Angelique! I hope my recipe lives up to your childhood memories and expectations. I know it’s a tough competition! 🙂
Tracy says
June 17, 2017 at 10:05 pmLooks so yummy! We are not big Dill people. Have you ever tried this recipe with any other spice?
vikalinka says
June 18, 2017 at 2:38 pmHi Tracy, parsley will work just as well here if you are not too fond of dill!
Patricia says
June 17, 2017 at 8:33 pmThis looks like delicious comfort food to me! I will be trying this recipe soon! Thanks for sharing!
vikalinka says
June 17, 2017 at 8:47 pmLet me know how you like it, Patricia!
AJ says
May 25, 2017 at 7:13 pmHi There, I was so surprised to see this recipe. My Mom use to make this in the pressure cooker when we were kids….actually one of my favourite meals to date. However, she would use the packaged “beef rice-a-roni” & it was “easy-peesey”. However, I will have to try your recipe to see if it comes up to my Mom’s standard….. Again, thx 4 posting..
AJ
vikalinka says
May 25, 2017 at 7:19 pmI hope it’s a success, AJ! 🙂
vera bentley says
May 22, 2017 at 1:06 pmok youve twisted my arm, ive got sour cream in the fridge & i was looking for something to make – youve just grabbed my attention 🙂
mum used to make them but without the rice inside, it was always on the side 😛
vikalinka says
May 22, 2017 at 5:16 pmExcellent! Let me know how you like them, Vera!!
vera bentley says
October 13, 2018 at 12:01 pmas usual, like everything else on your site, they were excellent!
vikalinka says
October 13, 2018 at 12:04 pmI am thrilled to hear that, Vera! I was just thinking of making them again but our summer weather wouldn’t let go. Still very warm in the middle of October!
Carole from Carole's Chatter says
May 19, 2017 at 4:22 amHi there, this would fit perfectly in Food on Friday under the tomato theme. Hope you bring it on over. Cheers from Carole’s Chatter