Meals Fit For MEN To Make!

Chef Michael Psilakis Serves Up Recipes For National Men Cook Dinner Day

(CBS)  Thursday is National Men Cook Dinner Day, and The Early Show wasn't about to let it go by unnoticed!

We asked Michael Psilakis, executive chef and owner of both Kefi and Anthos in Manhattan, as well as Bon Appetit magazine's Chef of the Year, to whip up some easy, fun recipes guys can use to impress friends and family. Call it a -- manly menu! So guys -- get those aprons on, dispense with stereotypes, and head for the kitchen!

RECIPES

Tsoutsoukakia (Meatballs, Roasted Garlic, Olives, Tomato)

Serves 4-6; Yield 6 meatballs each

For the meatballs:
1/2 lb ground pork
1/2 lb ground lamb
1/4 ground beef
1 onion chopped
4 garlic cloves chopped
6 garlic cloves roasted and pureed
2 tbs. chopped fresh dill
2 tbs. chopped fresh parsley
Salt & pepper to taste
1 tbs. Dijon mustard smooth
8 slices of white bread crust removed
1 cup milk
Flour
Extra Virgin Olive Oil

For the Sauce:
3 tbs. Extra virgin olive oil
6 pieces of raw garlic
1 large onion, chopped
1/2 cup red wine
2 cups beef and chicken broth
2, 16 oz. cans Italian plum tomatoes in sauce
2 fresh bay leaves

To Garnish:
1/2 cup of tsakistes olives, pitted and cut in half
1/2 cup thassos or kalamata olives, pitted and cut in half
16 whole roasted garlic cloves, peeled
Fresh parsley, dill, mint, chopped
Dried Greek oregano

For the Sauce:
Place oil in pan over medium heat, sauté garlic and onions until golden brown. Deglaze with red wine. Reduce until almost dry. Add stocks and tomatoes crushed by hand a bit, add bay leaf and simmer.

For the Meatballs:
Put everything in a mixing bowl with the exception of the bread and milk. In a separate bowl, soak bread in milk until saturated and soft. Remove bread from milk, squeezing to drain off extra milk, add to meat mixture and mix well to thoroughly incorporate.

Form football shaped meatballs, dredge with flour, and pan-fry in until brown on all sides, then transfer to a paper towel. Once all meatballs have been browned, add them to the pot with the tomato sauce and braise for an hour. Season. With salt and pepper.

To serve:
Right before serving, add the olives, roasted garlic cloves, fresh herbs and dried Greek Oregano to the meatball/tomato mixture. Stir to combine and serve.

For more recipes, go to Page 2.