Lamb Merguez Meatballs with Spicy Tomato Sauce

  5.0 – 2 reviews  • Lamb Recipes
Level: Intermediate
Total: 2 hr
Active: 1 hr 10 min
Yield: 4 to 6 servings

Ingredients

  1. Neutral oil, for the deep-fryer
  2. 1 1/2 teaspoons cumin seeds
  3. 1 teaspoon coriander seeds
  4. 1/2 teaspoon fennel seeds
  5. 1/2 teaspoon hot paprika
  6. 1/2 teaspoon sumac
  7. 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  8. 1 1/2 pounds ground lamb
  9. 1 cup potato flakes
  10. 1/2 cup minced Spanish onion
  11. 1/4 cup Greek yogurt or labneh
  12. 2 tablespoons harissa paste
  13. 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
  14. 3 cloves garlic, finely minced
  15. 1 large egg
  16. Olive oil, to coat hands
  17. Olive oil, to coat pan
  18. 1 medium onion, small dice
  19. 4 cloves garlic, finely minced
  20. 2 tablespoons harissa paste
  21. 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  22. One 28-ounce can San Marzano tomatoes, blended
  23. Kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper
  24. 1 1/2 cups Greek yogurt or labneh
  25. 1/4 cup fresh mint leaves
  26. 1/4 cup fresh parsley leaves
  27. Zest of 1 Meyer lemon
  28. 1 cup crumbled feta
  29. Fresh dill tops, for garnish

Instructions

  1. For the merguez meatballs: Preheat a deep-fryer to 375 degrees F. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
  2. Add the cumin, coriander and fennel seeds to a 3- to 4-quart saucepan set over medium-low heat. Toast the spices, shaking the pan frequently, until they are fragrant and beginning to change color, 5 to 6 minutes. Remove the spices to a clean plate and let cool, then add them to a spice grinder and blend. Add the blended spices to a bowl with the hot paprika, sumac and cayenne and stir to combine. In a large bowl, add the ground lamb, spice blend, potato flakes, onion, yogurt, harissa, salt, garlic and egg. Combine gently with clean hands, using care to distribute all the flavorings evenly, but try to avoid pressing down or compacting the mixture. Lightly coat your hands with olive oil, then measure out 1 1/2 tablespoons of the mixture with an ice cream scooper and roll it into a meatball. Set aside in a baking dish. Repeat with the remaining mixture.
  3. Brown the meatballs in batches in the deep-fryer until they are golden brown and hold their shape, 3 to 5 minutes. The meatballs will continue to cook in the tomato sauce, so this step is to give them color and additional flavor. Remove the meatballs to a baking dish and set aside.
  4. For the spicy tomato sauce: Coat the same saucepan with more olive oil and set over medium heat. Add the onions and stir with a wooden spoon to collect any browned bits caught on the surface of the skillet. Sweat until the onions are slightly softened, 4 to 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant, an additional few minutes. Add the harissa and tomato paste and toast for 1 to 2 minutes. Add the blended tomatoes and stir. Season the mixture with salt and pepper and stir to combine. Simmer the sauce for about 20 minutes to allow the flavors to meld. Cover the meatballs with the sauce and transfer to the oven. Roast until the meatballs are fully cooked through and caramelized from the sauce, 10 to 15 minutes.
  5. Add the yogurt, mint, parsley and lemon zest to a small bowl, then season with salt. Stir to combine and adjust the seasoning as needed.
  6. Place dollops of the seasoned yogurt and top with the meatballs. Garnish the meatballs with crumbled feta and fresh dill tops.

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size 1 of 6 servings
Calories 713
Total Fat 56 g
Saturated Fat 20 g
Carbohydrates 21 g
Dietary Fiber 4 g
Sugar 9 g
Protein 33 g
Cholesterol 147 mg
Sodium 1100 mg

Reviews

Brian Knight
Delicious! Definitely recommend. Nicely spiced. Used fresh basil to top.
Jill Bell
As good as it looked on the show! Perfectly spiced and so moist and tender. Was a show stopper at my wild card game party. Leftovers made for an amazing sandwich the next day. Can’t wait to make again!

 

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