Moroccan Lamb Meatballs

moroccan lamb meatballs

Yield: 4-6 servings

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 45 - 50 minutes

Total Time: 50 - 70 minutes

 

 

 

 

Ingredients

For the tomato sauce:

  • 2 Tbs. olive oil
  • 1/2 small yellow onion, chopped
  • 2-inch piece of fresh ginger, peeled and grated
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 Tbs. ground cumin
  • 1 Tbs. ground coriander
  • 1/4 tsp. ground cinnamon
  • 1 can of crushed tomatoes
  • 1 Tbs. firmly packed brown sugar
  • 2 Tbs. chopped fresh mint leaves
  • Salt and pepper to taste

For the meatballs:

  • Olive oil for greasing
  • 1 1/2 lb. ground lamb
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves
  • 1 egg
  • 1 Tbs. ground cumin
  • 1 Tbs. ground coriander
  • 1/2 tsp. garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp. dried oregano
  • 1 1/2 cups (9 oz./280 g) Israeli couscous
  • Salt and pepper to tast

1 bag of Couscous (1/3 of a cup per serving)

 

Directions

1. To make the tomato sauce, warm the olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Add the onion and sauté until translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the ginger, garlic, cumin, coriander and cinnamon, and sauté just until the ginger and garlic are soft and the spices are toasted, about 2 minutes. Stir in the tomatoes with their juices and the brown sugar. Raise the heat to medium-high and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low and simmer until the sauce darkens in color and thickens a bit, about 15 minutes. Season with salt and pepper and stir in the mint. Reduce the heat to lowest setting and cover to keep warm. 

2. Preheat an oven to 350°F. Lightly grease a baking sheet with olive oil.

3. In a bowl, combine the lamb, parsley, egg, cumin, coriander, garlic powder and oregano. Using your hands, mix gently until combined (do not overmix). Season well with salt and pepper. Form the lamb mixture into meatballs about the size of a golf ball, arranging them in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet as you work. Transfer to the oven and bake until the meatballs are cooked through, 15 to 18 minutes.

4. While the meatballs are baking, cook the couscous according to the package directions. Cover to keep warm. 

5. Spoon the couscous and meatballs into shallow bowls. Top with tomato sauce and serve immediately.