Best 7 Lamb Meatballs And Collard Dolmades Recipes

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Dolmades are a traditional dish with origins in the Ottoman Empire, comprised of grape or cabbage leaves wrapped around a filling, usually made of rice, meat, and vegetables. The filling can be made of lamb meatballs, which add a rich and savory flavor to the dolmades. Collard leaves are often used for the wrapping, providing a tender and slightly bitter flavor that complements the filling. This article explores a variety of recipes for lamb meatballs and collard dolmades, each with its own unique blend of flavors and textures. These recipes are sure to tantalize your taste buds and create a delightful dining experience.

Here are our top 7 tried and tested recipes!

LAMB MEATBALLS AND COLLARD DOLMADES



Lamb Meatballs and Collard Dolmades image

Provided by Mark Bittman

Categories     dinner, project, appetizer, main course

Time 1h15m

Yield 4 main-course or 8 appetizer servings

Number Of Ingredients 11

1/4 cup medium-grind bulgur
1 pound ground lamb
1 small onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon ground cumin
1/4 cup chopped fresh mint
Salt
ground black pepper
2 tablespoons olive oil, more as needed
16 to 20 untorn collard leaves
Lemon wedges, for garnish

Steps:

  • Soak bulgur in hot water to cover until tender, 15 to 30 minutes. Drain bulgur, then squeeze out as much water as possible. Combine bulgur with lamb, onion, garlic, cumin, mint, salt and pepper. Shape into 1-inch meatballs, handling mixture as little as possible.
  • Put olive oil in a large skillet (preferably cast iron) over medium-high heat; when hot, add meatballs and cook for 6 to 8 minutes, turning every couple of minutes. Serve immediately or cool and proceed with recipe.
  • Bring a large pot of water to boil and salt it. Trim stem ends of collard leaves and discard. Put half the leaves in the boiling water and cook for 1 to 2 minutes, or until they are just pliable. Use a slotted spoon to remove leaves from water and transfer to a colander; run leaves under cool water; drain and gently squeeze to remove most of the excess water, leaving them just damp enough so they will stick together when rolled. Repeat with other leaves.
  • Cut leaves in half by running a sharp knife along each side of stem, removing stem in process; trim top and bottom, making a large, rectangular-shaped leaf. Lay one leaf down with widest part facing you. Put a meatball in middle of leaf, bring two sides of leaves together and roll like a burrito to seal it. Put each stuffed leaf, seam side down, on a serving plate. Repeat, cooking and stuffing remaining leaves. Serve with lemon wedges.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 481, UnsaturatedFat 19 grams, Carbohydrate 19 grams, Fat 35 grams, Fiber 9 grams, Protein 26 grams, SaturatedFat 13 grams, Sodium 740 milligrams, Sugar 2 grams

LAMB MEATBALLS AND COLLARD DOLMADES



Lamb Meatballs and Collard Dolmades image

Provided by Food Network

Time 35m

Yield 4 main-course or 8 appetizer servings

Number Of Ingredients 10

1/4 cup medium-grind bulgur
1 pound ground lamb
1 small onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon ground cumin
1/4 cup chopped fresh mint
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 tablespoons olive oil, plus more as needed
16 to 20 untorn collard leaves
Lemon wedges, for serving

Steps:

  • Soak the bulgur in hot water to cover until tender, 15 to 30 minutes. Drain bulgur, then squeeze out as much water as possible. Combine bulgur with lamb, onion, garlic, cumin, mint, salt and pepper. Shape into 1-inch meatballs, handling mixture as little as possible.
  • Put olive oil in a large skillet (preferably cast iron) over medium-high heat; when hot, add meatballs and cook for 6 to 8 minutes, turning every couple of minutes. Serve immediately or cool and proceed with recipe.
  • Bring a large pot of water to boil and salt it. Trim stem ends of collard leaves and discard. Put half the leaves in the boiling water and cook for 1 to 2 minutes, or until they are just pliable. Use a slotted spoon to remove leaves from water and transfer to a colander; run leaves under cool water; drain and gently squeeze to remove most of the excess water, leaving them just damp enough so they will stick together when rolled. Repeat with other leaves.
  • Cut leaves in half by running a sharp knife along each side of stem, removing stem in process; trim top and bottom, making a large, rectangular-shaped leaf. Lay one leaf down with widest part facing you. Put a meatball in middle of leaf, bring 2 sides of leaves together and roll like a burrito to seal it. Put each stuffed leaf, seam-side down, on a serving plate. Repeat, cooking and stuffing remaining leaves. Serve with lemon wedges.

LAMB MEATBALLS AND SAUCE



Lamb Meatballs and Sauce image

These baked, ground lamb meatballs are a quite flavorful alternative to traditional meatballs.

Provided by Chef John

Categories     Meat and Poultry Recipes     Lamb     Ground

Time 1h50m

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 18

½ cup dry bread crumbs
½ cup milk
1 ¼ pounds ground lamb
1 egg, beaten
3 cloves fresh garlic, minced
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon tomato paste
1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary
1 tablespoon ground cumin
1 ½ teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon dried oregano
½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 pinch cayenne pepper
3 cups tomato sauce
1 cup chicken stock
2 tablespoons chopped fresh mint
1 pinch red pepper flakes, or to taste

Steps:

  • Preheat an oven to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C).
  • Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil; oil lightly.
  • Combine bread crumbs and milk in a small bowl. Soak bread crumbs until milk is absorbed, about 30 minutes.
  • Combine bread crumb mixture, lamb, egg, garlic, olive oil, tomato paste, rosemary, cumin, salt, oregano, black pepper, cinnamon, and cayenne pepper in a large bowl.
  • Form lamb mixture into 2-inch meatballs and place on the prepared baking sheet.
  • Cook meatballs in the preheated oven until they are slightly browned, about 15 minutes. Remove from the oven and set aside.
  • Combine meatballs, tomato sauce, chicken stock, fresh mint, and red pepper flakes in a large sauce pan over medium heat until meatballs are no longer pink inside, about 45 minutes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 610.3 calories, Carbohydrate 24.4 g, Cholesterol 153.8 mg, Fat 43.5 g, Fiber 4 g, Protein 31.3 g, SaturatedFat 16.4 g, Sodium 2322.9 mg, Sugar 10.5 g

LAMB MEATBALLS AND COLLARD DOLMADES



Lamb Meatballs and Collard Dolmades image

This is a non-traditional appetizer recipe using inexpensive and plentiful collard greens rather than grapevine leaves. Half the lamb meatballs can be served plain and the other half wrapped in the leaves.

Provided by threeovens

Categories     Collard Greens

Time 55m

Yield 8 appetizer portions, 4 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 10

1/4 cup bulgur (fine grind)
1 lb ground lamb
1 small onion, chopped fine
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 tablespoon ground cumin
1/4 cup of fresh mint, chopped
kosher salt & freshly ground black pepper
2 tablespoons olive oil, more as needed
16 -20 collard greens, untorn
lemon wedge, for serving

Steps:

  • Soak the bulgur in hot water until tender, 20 to 30 minutes; drain, squeezing out as much water as you can.
  • Combine bulgur with lamb, onion, garlic, cumin, mint, salt and pepper; shape into small 1 inch meatballs, handling the mixture as little as possible.
  • Heat olive oil in a large skillet, over medium high heat; cook meatballs, turning every few minutes, for a total of 6 to 8 minutes.
  • Blanch collard greens, in batches, in a large pot of salted boiling water, just until pliable, about 1 or 2 minutes; remove with a slotted spoon to a colander.
  • Rinse with cool water then squeeze to remove most of the moisture.
  • With a sharp knife, cut leaves in half, lengthwise, removing stems.
  • On a work surface, place leave sideways, put a meatball inside, then roll up like a burrito, encasing the meatball with the leaf; place seam side down on a serving dish.
  • Repeat with remaining meatballs and leaves; serve with lemon wedges.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 427.3, Fat 33.9, SaturatedFat 12.6, Cholesterol 82.9, Sodium 73.8, Carbohydrate 9.9, Fiber 2.5, Sugar 0.8, Protein 20.6

LAMB MEATBALLS WITH CUCUMBERS AND HERBS



Lamb Meatballs with Cucumbers and Herbs image

Flecked with coriander, cinnamon, and cumin, lamb meatballs rest on a bed of dill, parsley, and mint in this composed salad that takes cues from Middle Eastern cuisine. Serve them with a swipe of labneh and quick-pickled red onions and golden raisins-and enjoy the culinary journey. This recipe is featured in the cookbook Salad Freak: Recipes to Feed a Healthy Obsession ($26.99, amazon.com).

Provided by Jess Damuck

Yield Serves 2 to 4

Number Of Ingredients 19

1/2 small red onion, very thinly sliced
1/3 cup golden raisins
1/4 cup red-wine vinegar
1 teaspoon whole coriander seeds
1 teaspoon cumin seeds
1/2 teaspoon Aleppo pepper, plus more for serving
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Kosher salt (we use Diamond Crystal) and freshly ground black pepper
1 pound ground lamb
1/2 bunch fresh parsley
1 bunch fresh mint
1 bunch fresh dill
1/2 cup plain (or fresh) breadcrumbs
1 egg, lightly beaten
2 cloves garlic
6 Persian cucumbers, halved and thinly sliced on the bias
Extra-virgin olive oil
1/2 cup labneh, or sheep's-milk or Greek-style yogurt
1 lemon

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 450°F. Combine onion, raisins, and vinegar and let soak, tossing every now and then so everything gets vinegary. Put coriander and cumin seeds in a skillet and cook over medium heat, shaking skillet around a lot quite vigorously to move them around. When they start to smell fragrant and toasty, after a minute or two, transfer to a mortar and pestle, spice grinder, or cutting board. Crush them up just a bit and transfer to a large bowl.
  • Add Aleppo pepper, cinnamon, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, and ground lamb to bowl with spices. Chop leaves from parsley and half of mint and dill; add to bowl. Add breadcrumbs and egg and grate in 1 clove garlic; use your hands to mix and combine. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment. Divide mixture into 12 balls and put on sheet.
  • Bake 12 to 15 minutes for medium (about 145°F on an instant-read thermometer). Meanwhile, in a large bowl, combine cucumbers, pickled-onion mixture, and 1 handful each parsley and mint leaves. Season with salt and black pepper and drizzle with a little oil.
  • Put labneh in another bowl; grate in remaining 1 clove garlic and zest of lemon. Season with Aleppo pepper and salt. Swoop mixture onto your serving plate or platter with the back of a spoon. Top with salad and meatballs. Cut zested lemon into wedges and serve alongside.

LAMB MEATBALLS



Lamb Meatballs image

This is a great alternative to regular meatballs. I have served these many times at cocktail parties, and they have always been a hit! The sauce adds a nice touch, but I have also served them with Greek marinade and plain.

Provided by Kathy Bezemes Walstrom

Categories     Appetizers and Snacks     Meat and Poultry     Meatball Appetizer Recipes

Time 1h45m

Yield 24

Number Of Ingredients 16

1 tablespoon unsalted butter
5 shallots, minced
2 pounds ground lamb
1 cup fresh bread crumbs
¼ cup chopped fresh parsley
1 egg, lightly beaten
2 tablespoons lemon zest
½ teaspoon dried marjoram
salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
½ cup unsalted butter
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 ½ tablespoons tomato sauce
¼ cup wine
1 small garlic clove, minced
1 dash ground cinnamon
toothpicks

Steps:

  • Melt the 1 tablespoon butter in a skillet over medium heat. Cook and stir the shallots in the skillet until tender. Transfer to a large bowl.
  • Mix lamb, bread crumbs, parsley, egg, and lemon zest into the bowl with the shallots. Season with marjoram, salt, and pepper. Let stand 1 hour in the refrigerator.
  • Melt 1/2 cup butter and heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Form the lamb mixture into small meatballs, and cook in the skillet in batches until evenly brown. Do not drain skillet. Drain meatballs on paper towels, and place in a serving dish.
  • Mix tomato sauce, wine, garlic, and cinnamon into the skillet. Cook and stir until well blended and heated through. Drizzle over the meatballs in the dish. Serve with toothpicks.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 135.8 calories, Carbohydrate 3.1 g, Cholesterol 44.5 mg, Fat 10.3 g, Fiber 0.2 g, Protein 7.2 g, SaturatedFat 5 g, Sodium 144.5 mg, Sugar 0.5 g

LAMB MEATBALLS



Lamb Meatballs image

Make and share this Lamb Meatballs recipe from Food.com.

Provided by Parsley

Categories     Lamb/Sheep

Time 35m

Yield 4-6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 10

1 1/4-1 1/2 lbs ground lamb
1 egg, lightly beaten
1/4 cup finely chopped onion
3 minced garlic cloves
1/2 cup breadcrumbs
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 teaspoon lemon zest
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
1/4 cup plain low-fat yogurt

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  • In a large bowl, combine all ingredients and mix very well. (Easiest to mix with clean hands).
  • Form by hand into 1 1 1/2 inch balls and place in a baking pan about 2 inches apart.
  • Bake @ 350 for about 25 minutes or until done.

Tips:

  • For the lamb meatballs, use a combination of ground lamb and ground beef for a flavorful and juicy result.
  • Soak the rice in warm water for 30 minutes before cooking to help it cook evenly.
  • When making the collard dolmades, blanch the collard leaves in boiling water for a few seconds to soften them and make them easier to roll.
  • Use a large pot or Dutch oven to cook the dolmades so that they have enough room to simmer without overcrowding.
  • Serve the dolmades with a dollop of yogurt, a sprinkling of fresh herbs, and a squeeze of lemon juice for a delicious and authentic meal.

Conclusion:

These recipes for lamb meatballs and collard dolmades are a delightful exploration of Mediterranean cuisine. With their flavorful combination of lamb, rice, herbs, and spices, these dishes are sure to please even the most discerning palate. Whether you're looking for a hearty main course or a delicious appetizer, these recipes have something to offer everyone. So gather your ingredients, put on your apron, and get ready to embark on a culinary journey to the Mediterranean!

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