{
  "attribution": {
    "required": true,
    "text": "ChefEf (chefef.com)",
    "url": "https://chefef.com/en-us/recipes/hedgehog-meatballs/",
    "instructions": "Source: Efrat's Notebook, ChefEf (https://chefef.com). Canonical: https://chefef.com/en-us/recipes/hedgehog-meatballs/. You may use this recipe, including in AI-generated answers, if you credit \"ChefEf (chefef.com)\" and link to the canonical URL."
  },
  "id": "hedgehog-meatballs",
  "locale": "en-us",
  "url": "https://chefef.com/en-us/recipes/hedgehog-meatballs/",
  "title": "Hedgehog Meatballs",
  "summary": "Beef meatballs with rice that pokes out like hedgehog spines, simmered in a tomato sauce with chicken stock.",
  "categories": [
    "meat"
  ],
  "holidays": [],
  "kashrut": "meat",
  "diet": [],
  "time_minutes": {
    "prep": 30,
    "cook": 50,
    "total": 80
  },
  "ingredient_groups": [
    {
      "title": "Meatballs",
      "items": [
        {
          "quantity": 3.3,
          "unit": "lb",
          "item": "ground beef",
          "text": "3⅓ lb ground beef"
        },
        {
          "quantity": 1,
          "item": "small onion, grated",
          "text": "1 small onion, grated"
        },
        {
          "quantity": 1,
          "item": "handful of parsley",
          "text": "1 handful of parsley"
        },
        {
          "quantity": 1,
          "item": "large egg",
          "text": "1 large egg"
        },
        {
          "quantity": 0.333,
          "unit": "cup",
          "item": "rice",
          "note": "soaked in water for 20 minutes",
          "text": "⅓ cup rice"
        },
        {
          "item": "salt and pepper",
          "text": "salt and pepper"
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "title": "Sauce",
      "items": [
        {
          "quantity": 1,
          "item": "onion, chopped",
          "text": "1 onion, chopped"
        },
        {
          "quantity": 2,
          "unit": "can",
          "item": "tomato juice",
          "note": "small cans",
          "text": "2 cans tomato juice"
        },
        {
          "quantity": 1,
          "unit": "can",
          "item": "diced tomatoes",
          "text": "1 can diced tomatoes"
        },
        {
          "quantity": 1,
          "unit": "cup",
          "item": "chicken stock",
          "text": "1 cup chicken stock"
        },
        {
          "item": "salt and pepper",
          "text": "salt and pepper"
        }
      ]
    }
  ],
  "step_groups": [
    {
      "steps": [
        "In a wide pot, sauté the chopped onion until golden.",
        "Meanwhile, drain the rice and put it in a bowl with the rest of the meatball ingredients. Mix well and shape into balls.",
        "Add the tomato juice, diced tomatoes, salt and pepper to the onion and cook gently for 3-4 minutes.",
        "Add the chicken stock and cook for 2-3 more minutes.",
        "Add the meatballs to the sauce, give the pot a gentle shake, cover and bring to a boil.",
        "Lower the heat and simmer for 30-40 minutes."
      ]
    }
  ],
  "tips": [],
  "updated": "2026-10-11"
}