Spiced Meatballs (Print Version)
# Ingredients:
→ Meatballs
01 -
1 pound lean ground beef, or a mix of beef and lamb
02 -
1 large onion, chopped small
03 -
2 big garlic cloves, finely minced
04 -
1 cup flat leaf parsley, chopped fine
05 -
1 slice of bread, torn up
06 -
1 egg
07 -
1 teaspoon ground cumin
08 -
1 teaspoon ground coriander
09 -
½ teaspoon Aleppo pepper, extra for garnish
10 -
1 teaspoon Urfa Biber
11 -
Kosher salt
12 -
Freshly cracked black pepper
→ Yogurt Sauce
13 -
1 cup Greek-style yogurt
14 -
1 egg
15 -
1 tablespoon cornstarch
16 -
2 tablespoons water
17 -
1 cup chicken or veggie broth
18 -
Kosher salt
19 -
Ground black pepper
→ Spicy Olive Oil & Garnish
20 -
¼ cup high-quality olive oil
21 -
1 teaspoon Aleppo chili flakes
22 -
Optional: pickled red onions for topping
# Instructions:
01 -
Set oven to 425°F and place rack in the middle position.
02 -
Toast the bread till golden. Soak in water until soft, then squeeze out the extra moisture and shred into little bits.
03 -
In a big bowl, toss together the bread, meat, onion, garlic, parsley, and egg. Sprinkle in cumin, coriander, Urfa Biber, Aleppo chili, salt, and pepper. Mix everything with your hands gently but fully.
04 -
Line a baking sheet with parchment. Roll the meat mixture into roughly 18-20 balls (about 2 tablespoons each) and space them out on the sheet.
05 -
Pop the tray in the oven and bake till the meatballs are done and no longer pink, about 15 to 20 minutes.
06 -
While the meatballs cook, stir cornstarch and water in a bowl till smooth. Add the egg and yogurt, season with some salt and pepper, and whisk everything together.
07 -
In a small pot, bring the broth to a boil. Lower to a simmer and slowly pour in the yogurt mixture, whisking all the while. Stir constantly for about a minute till it thickens, then take it off the heat.
08 -
Heat olive oil in a small pan on medium. Add chili flakes, then swirl the pan until the oil takes on a reddish hue. Remove from the heat.
09 -
Put the cooked meatballs in a shallow dish. Pour the warm yogurt sauce over them, add pickled onions if you'd like, and drizzle with the spicy oil.
# Notes:
01 -
Lean beef works, but a tablespoon of olive oil can prevent it from drying out.
02 -
Try a beef-and-lamb combo for a more classic taste.
03 -
Make sure the yogurt sauce stays warm for serving.