Middle Eastern Meatballs
User Reviews
5
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Prep Time
20 mins
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Additional Time
10 mins
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Total Time
30 mins
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Servings
4 people
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Course
Main Course, Appetizer, Dinner
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Cuisine
Middle Eastern
Middle Eastern Meatballs
Description
These Middle Eastern Meatballs combine ground beef with finely chopped onion, garlic, parsley, and mint, creating a herbaceous base. Breadcrumbs bind the mixture, while spices like coriander and allspice provide warm, subtle earthiness complemented by a touch of lemon juice for brightness. They are rolled into small balls about 1 1/2 inches in diameter and broiled on both sides until cooked through, resulting in a browned exterior and moist interior.
The mint yogurt dip served alongside consists of plain yogurt blended with chopped mint and fresh lemon juice, offering a creamy, cool element that balances the savory meatballs. This pairing highlights the fresh herbal flavors and adds a zesty dimension to the dish.
These meatballs go well as part of a meal with plain rice, naan, Arabic bread, or as part of a meze platter including accompaniments such as fruit chutney or tabbouleh salad. The mint yogurt dip deepens in flavor when chilled, making it ideal to prepare ahead.
Ingredients
For meatballs
- 1 lb ground beef
- 3/4 onion diced, large
- 2 garlic cloves
- 1/2 cup mint loosely packed
- 1/2 cup parsley loosely packed
- 1/2 cup plain breadcrumbs
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp coriander powder
- 1/4 tsp allspice
- 2 tsp lemon juice
For mint yogurt dip
- 1 cup PLAIN yogurt
- 1/2 cup mint finely minced
- 1 tbsp lemon juice fresh
- 1/2 tsp salt
Instructions
For the mint yogurt dip
- Mix yogurt, garlic, lemon juice, and finely chopped mint together. Chill the mint yogurt dip until ready to use. The flavor will deepens as it chills.
For the meatballs
- Put onion and garlic in a mini food processor and process until they become tiny pieces. Add the parsley and mint and process again until they are very finely chopped.
- In a large mixing bowl, add the ground meat, onion-herb mixture, breadcrumbs, cumin, allspice, lemon juice, salt & pepper. Mix the meatball mixture with your hand until everything is well incorporated.
- Put the oven rack about 4-5 inch below the heat source and turn your oven to broil setting.
- Roll the mixture into 1 1/2-inch meatballs (You will get about 18-20 meatballs), and place them in a greased baking pan.
- Broil these meatballs for 3-4 minutes. Turn the meatballs to the other side, and broil another 3-4 minutes or until they are fully cooked. Watch carefully to not to burn the meatballs. Serve these meatballs warm with mint yogurt dip.
Notes
- Serve the meatballs with the mint yogurt dip chilled to enhance its fresh flavor.
- This dish complements plain rice, various flatbreads, and salads like tabbouleh for a complete meal.
- The meatballs should be watched carefully under the broiler to prevent burning while ensuring they cook through.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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