SPICY MEATBALLS WITH CHICKPEAS
Meatballs are the ultimate comfort food, and these are especially nice, perfumed with cumin, coriander and cinnamon. (Feel free to use ground beef, pork or turkey if ground lamb isn't available.) They may be prepared several hours or up to 2 days in advance - they reheat beautifully. Make the tomato gravy as piquant as you like, adding a good pinch of cayenne if you wish. The optional saffron adds a floral note. If you have the time, cook your chickpeas from scratch (it's best to soak them for at least a few hours or overnight). They'll cook in less than an hour. One pound dried chickpeas will yield about 6 cups cooked.
Provided by David Tanis
Categories dinner, meatballs, main course
Time 1h
Yield 4 to 6 servings (about 30 meatballs)
Number Of Ingredients 19
Steps:
- Heat oven to 350 degrees. Make the meatballs: In a large bowl, combine ground lamb, raw rice, salt, cumin, coriander, cinnamon, onion and garlic. Knead mixture well.
- Coat a sheet pan or roasting pan lightly with olive oil. With wet hands, form mixture into 1-ounce meatballs and arrange in one layer on pan. Bake, uncovered, for about 15 minutes, until lightly browned. Remove and let cool slightly.
- Meanwhile, make the gravy: Place a wide heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add 2 tablespoons olive oil. When oil is hot, add onion, sprinkle lightly with salt and cook, stirring until softened and just beginning to brown, about 10 minutes.
- Add saffron with soaking water, cumin, red-pepper flakes and cinnamon stick. Crush tomatoes with your hands, and add to pot, along with all tomato juices. Raise heat to medium-high, add broth and bring to a simmer. Taste and add more salt or red-pepper flakes as needed. Carefully add meatballs and adjust heat to a gentle simmer. Cover and cook for 30 minutes.
- Warm 2 tablespoons olive oil in a wide skillet over medium-high heat. Add chickpeas and a splash of water and heat through. Season to taste with salt. Sprinkle with chopped parsley or cilantro. Serve each diner 5 or 6 meatballs and plenty of gravy. Add a large spoonful of chickpeas on the side.
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Malik Zulfqar
[email protected]I highly recommend these meatballs! They are a delicious and easy-to-make dish.
Jubo Raz
[email protected]These meatballs are perfect for a quick and easy weeknight meal.
Abuki Ebiro
[email protected]I love the way the chickpeas add a bit of texture to these meatballs.
Carlos Dominguez
[email protected]These meatballs are a great way to use up leftover chickpeas.
Jeyraj Mall
[email protected]I've made these meatballs with different types of ground meat and they are always delicious!
Emanuel Williams
[email protected]These meatballs were a bit too spicy for my kids, but I loved them.
Sabrina Jahan
[email protected]I wasn't sure about the combination of spices, but I decided to try it anyway and I'm glad I did! These meatballs are amazing!
Ashikul Islam Fahim
[email protected]I would definitely recommend these meatballs! They are a great addition to any party or potluck.
Kadoso Loso
[email protected]I've made these meatballs several times and they are always a hit! They are so easy to make and they taste great.
Vendez Winner
[email protected]These meatballs were a bit dry for my taste, but the flavor was good.
Md. Efad
[email protected]I made these meatballs with ground turkey instead of beef and they were still delicious!
Umar Officail
[email protected]These meatballs were a bit too spicy for me, but my husband loved them.
Ssentamu Isaac
[email protected]I'm not a huge fan of meatballs, but these were really good! The spices were perfectly balanced and the chickpeas added a nice touch.
mehedi 12
[email protected]These meatballs are so easy to make and they taste amazing!
Terrance Stanley
[email protected]I made these meatballs for a party and they were a huge success! Everyone raved about them.
Rascina Half
[email protected]These meatballs were a hit! My family loved the combination of spices and the chickpeas added a nice texture.