Serves: About 32 meatballs or about 6 servings
Meatballs:
- 2 1/2 Pounds Ground Lamb
- Spice Mix / To Taste, Recipe Follows
- 1 Egg
- 1/2 Cup Ketchup
Meatball Sauce:
- Olive Oil
- 1/2 Cup Onion / Minced
- 2 Garlic Cloves / Salt Minced
- 1 Small Shallot / Minced
- 2 Cinnamon Sticks
- 1 Tablespoon Cumin / Toasted and Ground
- 1 Tablespoon Coriander / Toasted and Ground
- 4 Cup Tomato Puree
- 1 Cup Chicken Stock
- Kosher Salt
- Freshly Ground Black Pepper
- 1 Tablespoon Mint Leaves / Thinly Sliced
- 1 Tablespoon Italian Parsley Leaves / Minced
- Slivered Almonds
- Fresh Mint Leaves / Chopped For Garnish
- Pita Wedges / Warmed For Serving
Directions: Meatballs
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
In a large bowl, mix lamb, Spice Mix, egg, and ketchup, being careful not to overwork the meat. Form into 1 1/4-ounce balls, about the size of a ping-pong ball. Place meatballs on a large baking sheet and bake for approximately 20 minutes.
Note: use spice mix a little at a time. Taste test by frying a small piece of the meat mixture and adjusting the spice mix.
Directions: Sauce
In a large saucepan over medium heat, add the oil and heat, then add the onions and lightly saute until soft. Add garlic, shallots, cinnamon sticks, cumin, and coriander and saute over low heat, about 3 to 4 minutes. Add tomato puree and bring to a boil. Add stock and season sauce with salt, ground black pepper, mint, and parsley. Simmer for about 10 minutes and remove the cinnamon sticks.
To serve: Add the meatballs to the sauce and heat until warmed through. Pour a small amount of sauce on the plate and add 5 meatballs per serving. Garnish with toasted slivered almonds, mint, and warm pita wedges.
Spice Mix:
- 1 Tablespoon Coriander / Toasted and Ground
- 1 Tablespoon Cumin / Toasted and Ground
- 1 Teaspoon Curry Powder
- 1 Tablespoon Garlic Powder
- 1 Teaspoon Onion Powder
- 1 Teaspoon Dried Mexican Oregano
- 1 Teaspoon Dried Thyme
- 3/4 Teaspoon Ground Mustard
- 3/4 Teaspoon Smoked Paprika
- 1/2 Teaspoon All Spice / Ground
- 1/2 Teaspoon Cinnamon / Ground
- 1/2 Teaspoon Chili Powder
- Kosher Salt
- Fresh Ground Black Pepper
Directions:
In a medium bowl, mix all the spices together. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.
Print recipe: Moroccan Meatballs
