Spicy Lamb Meatballs in Tomato Sauce

Spicy Lamb Meatballs in Tomato Sauce Recipe These succulent meatballs can be served on little plates with plenty of bread for sopping up the rich tomato sauce or simply with toothpicks (and a napkin!). They are best served warm.


From EatingWell:  March/April 2007

Yield: 12 servings, 4 meatballs each

Active Time: 45 minutes

Total Time: 1 1/4 hours

Ingredients

  • 12 ounces ground lamb
  • 12 ounces 93%-lean ground turkey
  • 1 cup fresh whole-wheat breadcrumbs, (see Tip)
  • 1 large egg white
  • 1 cup minced onion, divided
  • 6 cloves garlic, minced, divided
  • 4 tablespoons chopped fresh mint, divided
  • 1 teaspoon ground coriander
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, divided
  • 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1/2 cup red wine
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1 28-ounce can crushed tomatoes

Preparation

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Coat a baking sheet with cooking spray.
  2. Combine lamb, turkey, breadcrumbs, egg white, 1/2 cup onion, half the garlic, 2 tablespoons mint, coriander, cumin and 1/4 teaspoon salt in a large bowl. Gently mix to combine. Shape into 48 little meatballs, about 1 tablespoon each. Place on the prepared baking sheet.
  3. Bake the meatballs for 10 minutes. Set aside.
  4. Meanwhile, heat oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the remaining 1/2 cup onion and cook, stirring, until golden, 3 to 5 minutes. Stir in the remaining garlic, wine, cayenne and the remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt. Simmer over medium-low heat until the wine has reduced significantly, 3 to 5 minutes. Add tomatoes, return to a simmer, reduce heat to low and simmer, partially covered, for 20 minutes.
  5. Add the meatballs to the sauce and cook until heated through, about 5 minutes. Garnish with the remaining 2 tablespoons mint.

Tips & Notes
  • Make Ahead Tip: Cover and refrigerate for up to 1 day. Just before serving, reheat over medium-low.
  • Tip: To make fresh breadcrumbs, trim crusts from firm sandwich bread. Tear the bread into pieces and process in a food processor into coarse crumbs. One slice of bread makes about 1/3 cup crumbs.

Nutrition Per serving:

178 calories; 7 g fat (2 g sat, 3 g mono); 35 mg cholesterol; 13 g carbohydrates; 13 g protein; 2 g fiber; 275 mg sodium; 333 mg potassium.

Nutrition Bonus: Vitamin C (15% daily value).

1 Carbohydrate Serving

Exchanges: 1/2 starch, 1 vegetable, 2 lean meat

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