North African Meatballs

Submitted by Julie Bs Hive

"Was relaxing with the Food Network yesterday and I caught Melissa d'Arabian's new show. These looked so delicious I just had to get right on the recipe. She served them with couscous with dried dates and glazed carrots but it's the meatballs that had me drooling."

 

• Ready In: 1hr 10mins
• Ingredients: 25
• Yields: 32 1-inch meatballs
• Serves: 4

ingredients

• FOR THE SAUCE

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1⁄2 small onion, diced
• 2 garlic cloves, chopped
• 1 lemon, the zest of
• 1⁄2 cup pitted and chopped briny olive
• 1⁄2 cup white wine
• 1⁄4 cup chicken stock or 1/4 cup broth
• 1 (14 ounce) can crushed tomatoes or (14 ounce) can diced tomatoes
• 1 teaspoon light brown sugar
• 1⁄2 teaspoon dried chili pepper flakes
• 1 pinch ground cinnamon
• salt
• fresh ground pepper

• FOR THE MEATBALLS

• 1 egg
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 3 tablespoons finely chopped fresh cilantro leaves
• 1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 pinch ground cinnamon
• 3⁄4 lb ground beef
• 1⁄3 cup finely ground rolled oats or 1/3 cup fine breadcrumbs
• salt
• fresh ground pepper
• 3 -4 tablespoons vegetable oil, for cooking
• 4 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

directions

1. MAKE THE SAUCE:.
2. Sauté the onions and garlic in a large saucepan until soft. Add zest and olives; cook for 1 minute. Add wine and deglaze the pan and let reduce for a few minutes. Add stock, tomatoes, sugar, red pepper flakes, and cinnamon. Simmer for about 7 minutes. Season to taste.
3. MAKE THE MEATBALLS:.
4. Whisk the egg and tomato paste until smooth. Add the cilantro, ginger, cumin, and cinnamon. Mix until well blended. Add in the ground beef and rolled oats and season to taste. Combine well but do not overmix. Make 32 1-inch meatballs.
5. Heat the vegetable oil over medium heat and cook meatballs until browned on all sides. Add oil as needed. Add to the sauce and simmer for 20 minutes.
6. Sprinkle with fresh parsley and serve over couscous with dried dates.

Reviews

[unmistakable1]

Very good and tasty; not too difficult, either. I didn't use wine, and just added a little extra chicken broth instead. I'm not a huge fan of olives, so I used less than what was called for, and it was just right for us. I would definitely recommend doubling the sauce, as others have mentioned. I'll have to try her couscous and carrots next time; they sound great, as well.

 

[Meredith C-ville]

This made very tender (but not falling apart) meatballs. I used a pound of meat because that was easier, and increased other ingredients slightly. I was nervous about the tomato paste but I think that is what really makes their texture. For the sauce, I used additional onions and garlic, and had to use lime zest rather than lemon because my only lemon had already been zested. I used closer to 20 oz crushed tomatoes (and also threw in the rest of the can of tomato paste). I put the meatballs directly into the sauce. I only cooked half of the meatballs this time (with the full amount of sauce) and served this with carrots (cooked with cumin, pepper, and garlic/onion powders) over millet (a great grain to sub for couscous), which was nice with the flavorful sauce. It is a nice change from usual Italian-type tomatoey meatball things.

 

[Susie D]

EXCELLENT! We loved the flavors here. It was just so full of flavor; a little sweet, a little bit of hot, and the ginger added a touch of special. I served with recipe #222258 and cucumbers seasoned with sumac & lemon, but next time I will pair with rice, couscous, or pasta in order to get every last bite of the sauce. The sauce is thick and coats the meatballs (and would be great doubled). I used ground turkey and subbed apple juice for the wine. The meatballs were moist, but held together well. Thank you for sharing the recipe!

 

[Smilyn]

This was awesome... I'm so glad you posted the recipe. We just had a little hard time actually frying up the meatballs, but the whole dinner in general was amazing. Thanks for a keeper!

 

[Rangerdave]

I tried Melissa's entire meal. It was wonderful. The meatballs were great, but you may want to increase the amount of sauce. Her carrots were wonderful, and the couscous was also great.