Heart-Healthy Romanian Mici (Mititei)

Experience the rich flavors of traditional Romanian cuisine with a heart-healthy twist in this recipe for **Heart-Healthy Romanian Mici (Mititei)**. These juicy, aromatic skinless sausages combine extra-lean ground beef and ground turkey breast for a lighter yet protein-rich take on a classic favorite. Infused with a bold blend of garlic, smoked paprika, dried thyme, cumin, and coriander, and made tender with low-sodium vegetable broth and baking soda, these mici deliver incredible flavor without excess fat or sodium. Perfectly suited for grilling or baking, they turn golden-brown and irresistibly succulent whether cooked outdoors or in the oven. Serve these healthy and versatile mici hot with a side of tangy mustard, whole-grain bread, or a crisp green salad for a guilt-free taste of Romanian tradition that you'll love sharing with family and friends.

Nutriscore Rating: 72/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:20 mins

Total Time:40 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 500 grams extra-lean ground beef
• 500 grams ground turkey breast
• 5 cloves garlic cloves, minced
• 120 milliliters low-sodium vegetable broth
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 tablespoon dijon mustard
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1 teaspoon ground coriander
• 0.5 teaspoon cumin
• 1 tablespoon olive oil

Directions

Step 1

In a large mixing bowl, combine extra-lean ground beef and ground turkey breast until evenly mixed.

Step 2

Add minced garlic, low-sodium vegetable broth, and baking soda to the meat mixture. Mix thoroughly with your hands until well combined.

Step 3

Incorporate the Dijon mustard, smoked paprika, dried thyme, black pepper, ground coriander, and ground cumin into the meat mixture. Continue mixing until spices are evenly distributed.

Step 4

Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate the mixture for at least 2 hours, or preferably overnight, to allow the flavors to meld.

Step 5

Preheat your grill to medium-high heat or preheat your oven to 200°C (392°F) if baking.

Step 6

If grilling, brush the grill grates with a light coat of olive oil to prevent sticking. For baking, line a baking tray with parchment paper and lightly brush with olive oil.

Step 7

With damp hands, shape the meat mixture into small cylindrical sausages, approximately 3 inches long and 1 inch in diameter.

Step 8

If grilling, place the mici on the grill and cook for about 8-10 minutes on each side, or until they are browned and cooked through, with an internal temperature of 74°C (165°F).

Step 9

If baking, arrange the mici on the prepared baking tray and bake for about 20 minutes, turning them halfway through to ensure they cook evenly.

Step 10

Serve hot with a side of mustard and fresh whole-grain bread or a healthy green salad.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1178.7g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1826.4

Total Fat 65.5g	0%
Saturated Fat 19.8g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1.3g
Cholesterol 725mg	0%
Sodium 2407.4mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 11.6g	0%
Dietary Fiber 3.3g	0%
Total Sugars 0.8g
Protein 262.0g	0%

Vitamin D 35IU	0%
Calcium 232.7mg	0%
Iron 21.4mg	0%
Potassium 3384.0mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 35.0%

Protein: 62.2%

Carbs: 2.8%