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Lamb Meatballs Harissa

Lamb Meatballs Harissa

Lamb meatballs harissa is a dish that fuses so many rich flavors together, and you’ll find it hard to take just one bite. Packed with savory spices and a hint of heat from harissa, these meatballs are not only delightful but incredibly easy to make. 
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Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Servings: 4

Equipment

Ingredients

  • Here’s what you’ll need to whip up those flavorful lamb meatballs harissa along with some great sides to complement them:

For the Meatballs:

  • - 1 pound ground lamb or lean ground beef
  • - 1 large egg
  • - 2 tablespoons harissa sauce I recommend Mina mild
  • - 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • - 1 teaspoon curry powder
  • - 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • - 1 teaspoon ground coriander
  • - ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
  • - 4 tablespoons tapioca flour you could also use breadcrumbs
  • - 1 tablespoon fresh mint finely chopped (for an extra layer of flavor)

For the Cucumber Salad:

  • - 1 cucumber quartered lengthwise and thinly sliced (about 2 cups)
  • - 1 cup quartered cherry tomatoes
  • - ½ cup red onion halved and thinly sliced
  • - 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • - 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • - ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • - ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • - ½ teaspoon feta cheese crumbled (optional, for a salty bite)

For the Tahini Sauce:

  • - 2 tablespoons tahini
  • - 2 tablespoons plain Greek yogurt
  • - 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • - 1 tablespoon minced cilantro
  • - A pinch of salt
  • - Warm water 2-4 tablespoons

For Serving:

  • - 2 cups cooked brown rice
  • - Fresh dill for garnishing

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat the Oven

  • Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). While that heats up, drizzle a small baking sheet with olive oil to create a light coating on the bottom. This helps keep the meatballs from sticking and gives them a lovely golden color.

Step 2: Combine Your Meatball Ingredients

  • In a medium-sized mixing bowl, combine the ground lamb, egg, harissa sauce, salt, curry powder, garlic powder, ground coriander, smoked paprika, and tapioca flour. Get your hands in there and mix it all together until every ingredient is well incorporated. Don’t be afraid to get a little messy! If the mixture feels too sticky, dampen your hands slightly to help you roll them more easily.

Step 3: Roll into Meatballs

  • Once everything's mixed, roll the mixture into 1-inch balls and place them evenly spaced on the prepared baking sheet. This allows them to cook evenly and to achieve that perfect golden-brown crust.

Step 4: Bake the Meatballs

  • Slide the baking sheet into your preheated oven and bake for around 15 minutes. Keep an eye on them! They’re done when they’re golden brown and fully cooked through, reaching an internal temperature of 160°F (71°C).

Step 5: Prepare the Cucumber Salad

  • While the meatballs are baking away, take another bowl and toss together the cucumber, cherry tomatoes, red onion, olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and black pepper. Mix until everything is nicely coated and flavors start mingling. Set this aside to let the veggies shine.

Step 6: Make the Tahini Sauce

  • In a smaller bowl, mix together the tahini, Greek yogurt, lemon juice, minced cilantro, and a pinch of salt. To achieve your desired consistency, gradually add warm water until it reaches a drizzle-able texture. You may find that you need about 2-4 tablespoons, depending on your tahini brand.

Step 7: Assemble and Serve

  • Once everything is ready, it’s time to serve! Start by dividing the cooked brown rice among four bowls. Top each bowl with several meatballs, a generous scoop of your cucumber salad, and a dollop of that fantastic tahini sauce. If you like a little extra kick, feel free to add more harissa on top. Finish with a sprinkle of fresh dill, and you’re ready to impress!

Notes

- Meat Choices: You can swap ground lamb for ground beef or any other ground meat you prefer—just adjust cooking time as needed.
- Heat Levels: Adjust the amount of harissa based on your preference for spice. More for heat, less for a milder flavor.
- Chill Time: For better texture, let the meatball mixture chill in the fridge for 30 minutes before shaping.
- Dairy-Free Option: To make the tahini sauce dairy-free, simply omit the Greek yogurt.
- Custom Veggies: Feel free to add other veggies, like bell peppers or radishes, to the cucumber salad for added color and crunch.
Keyword: Lamb Meatballs Harissa