This recipe comes from The View From Great Island website. I made it tonight and I’m so glad I did. I’m in love with the Moroccan cuisine and planned on making something special tonight in time for a soccer game on t.v! The fresh flavors of lemon zest, ginger, cardamon, fresh herbs and feta cheese together with the ground lamb or beef make for a beautiful marriage in your mouth! I served it with steamed couscous and avocado salad. Give it a try.
Ingredients:
For the Meatballs:
- 1 lb ground lamb ( I used ground beef instead)
- 1/2 medium red onion, very finely minced
- 2 cloves garlic, finely minced
- A 2 inch piece of fresh ginger, peeled and grated or finely minced
- 1/4 cup plain dry bread crumbs
- 1 large egg, well beaten
- A handful of fresh parsley leaves, finely chopped
- A handful of fresh cilantro leaves, finely chopped
- A handful of fresh mint leaves, finely chopped
- Zest of two lemons
- 1/2 cup pine nuts
- 1/2 cup fresh feta cheese, finely crumbled
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp fresh cracked pepper
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1 tsp freshly toasted and ground cardamom
- Olive oil for frying
For the sauce:
- 2/3 cup Tahini
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 3/4 tsp salt
- Water
Garnish:
- Pine nuts
- Chopped parsley, cilantro, or mint
- A sprinkling of smoked paprika, or sumac
Method:
- Set oven to 350F
- Place the lamb, onion, garlic, ginger, bread crumbs, beaten egg, fresh herbs, lemon zest, pine nuts, feta cheese, cinnamon, cardamom, and salt and pepper into a large bowl. Mix everything together using your fingertips. You want to get all the ingredients evenly distributed without compacting the meat.
- Form walnut sized meatballs from the mixture. You can do this several hours ahead of time if you want, but be sure to cover the meat completely with plastic wrap and refrigerate until needed.
- Cover the bottom of a heavy pan with the olive oil and heat until hot. Work in batches so you don’t crowd the pan, and brown the meatballs on all sides. Add more oil as necessary.
- Place the meatballs on a baking sheet and bake for about 12 minutes, or until cooked through. (Ground lamb should be cooked to about 170F)
- Meanwhile make the sauce by mixing the tahini and lemon juice, and then adding enough water to make a thin sauce. Salt it to taste.
- Serve the meatballs hot from the oven, nestled in the sauce. Garnish with more pine nuts, herbs, and a sprinkling of sumac or paprika.
Kelley
These were so delicious!