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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Cathy Lawson
[email protected]I love these meatballs! They're so easy to make and they're always delicious. I always make a double batch so I can have leftovers.
Inshal umair
[email protected]These meatballs are so good! I've made them several times and they're always a hit. They're perfect for a party or a weeknight meal.
Faten Kasas
[email protected]I've made these meatballs several times and they're always a hit. They're perfect for a party or a weeknight meal. I love that I can use ground turkey or beef.
umu Abshir
[email protected]These meatballs are amazing! They're so flavorful and moist. I love that I can make them ahead of time and freeze them.
Chaudhery Bilal
[email protected]I love these meatballs! They're so easy to make and they're always delicious. I always make a double batch so I can have leftovers.
Sunny Bobo
[email protected]These meatballs are so good! I've made them several times and they're always a hit. They're perfect for a party or a weeknight meal.
Kadiatu Bukum
[email protected]I made these meatballs for a party and they were a huge hit! Everyone loved them. They're so easy to make and they taste amazing.
David Wangari
[email protected]These meatballs are the best! They're so moist and flavorful. I always make extra so I can have leftovers for lunch the next day.
Jeffery Fletcher
[email protected]I've made these meatballs several times and they're always a hit. They're easy to make and so delicious. I love that I can use ground turkey or beef.
Elizabeth Guada
[email protected]These meatballs are delicious! I made them for my family and they loved them. The sauce is especially flavorful.
Otaku Milo
[email protected]I love these meatballs! They're so flavorful and moist. I always make a double batch so I can have leftovers.
Dxster Juon
[email protected]These meatballs are so good! I've made them several times and they're always a hit. They're easy to make and freeze well, too.
Mike Obatala
[email protected]I made these meatballs for a party and they were a huge success! Everyone loved them.
Irfan Imon
[email protected]These meatballs are the best! I've made them several times and they're always a hit. They're easy to make and so delicious.
Charles McGill
[email protected]I love these meatballs! They are so moist and flavorful. I always make a double batch so I can have leftovers.
Eric Nartey
[email protected]These meatballs were a hit with my family! They were easy to make and very flavorful. I will definitely be making them again.
Asif Prame
[email protected]Just made these meatballs and they are amazing! The flavors are so well-balanced and the meatballs are so moist. I can't wait to make them again!
Tushar Raj
[email protected]These meatballs were easy to make and turned out great! I used ground turkey instead of beef and they were still very flavorful. I also added a bit of chopped spinach to the meatballs for extra nutrition.
Ciara Griffith
[email protected]I made these meatballs last night and they were a big hit! My husband and kids loved them. The meatballs were moist and flavorful, and the sauce was delicious. I will definitely be making these again.
yolanda andersen
[email protected]These spicy meatballs with chickpeas were absolutely delicious! The flavors were so well-balanced and the meatballs were so moist and flavorful. I served them with rice and a side of yogurt sauce, and it was a hit with my family. Definitely a keeper!