While many meatball recipes use a slice of white bread, here we’re using pieces of tortilla. Then, we serve the meatballs with charred peppers and onions, rice, sour cream and cheese.
| Level: | Easy |
| Total: | 40 min |
| Active: | 30 min |
| Yield: | 4 servings |
Ingredients
- 8 ounces baby bell peppers, quartered and seeded
- 1 onion, thickly sliced
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for the pan
- Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
- 1 8-inch flour tortilla
- 1 cup converted white rice
- 1/2 cup salsa (mild, medium or hot)
- 1 1/4 pounds ground beef
- 1 large egg
- 2 teaspoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- Sour cream, pickled jalapeños and crumbled cotija cheese or queso fresco, for topping
Instructions
- Arrange racks in the middle and upper third of the oven; preheat the broiler. Line 2 baking sheets with foil. Toss the bell peppers and onion with the olive oil and a big pinch of salt and pepper on one of the baking sheets. Broil on the middle oven rack, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are crisp-tender and lightly charred, 15 to 20 minutes.
- Meanwhile, tear the tortilla into small pieces and combine in a large bowl with 1/4 cup hot water. Stir well and set aside to soften, about 5 minutes.
- Combine the rice, salsa, 2 cups water and a pinch of salt in a medium saucepan. Bring to a simmer, stir well and cover. Reduce the heat to low and cook until the rice is tender but still saucy, about 15 minutes. Uncover and stir well.
- Brush the second baking sheet with olive oil. Using your fingers, squish and crumble the soaked tortilla pieces in the bowl. Add the beef, egg, chili powder, cumin, 3/4 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper; mix well. Form into 16 meatballs, about 2 tablespoons each. Place on the oiled pan. Broil on the upper oven rack until browned and cooked through, 8 to 10 minutes.
- Divide the rice among plates. Top with the meatballs, peppers and onion. Serve with sour cream, jalapeños and cheese.
Nutrition Facts
| Calories | 600 |
| Total Fat | 26 grams |
| Saturated Fat | 8 grams |
| Cholesterol | 136 milligrams |
| Sodium | 945 milligrams |
| Carbohydrates | 53 grams |
| Dietary Fiber | 3 grams |
| Protein | 35 grams |
| Sugar | 5 grams |