Savory Tunisian Spiced Meatballs
Dive into the delightful flavors of Tunisia with these Savory Tunisian Spiced Meatballs. This recipe combines rich ground beef with a medley of aromatic spices and fresh ingredients to create tender, mouthwatering meatballs simmered in a fragrant tomato sauce. They're perfect for a cozy family dinner or as an impressive dish for gatherings. Serve them over couscous or with crusty bread to soak up the flavors. Enjoy a taste of North African cuisine right at home!
8
Servings
N/A
Calories
15
Ingredients
Ingredients
ground beef
1 lb (raw)
breadcrumbs
1/2 cup (dry)
parsley
1 tablespoon (minced)
nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon (ground)
onion powder
1/2 teaspoon (dry)
salt
1/2 teaspoon (divided)
pepper
1/2 teaspoon (divided)
egg
1 (beaten)
garlic
1 clove (minced)
tomatoes
2 (chopped)
onion
1/2 cup (chopped)
cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon (ground)
saffron
1 dash (optional)
turmeric
1/4 teaspoon (ground)
tomato juice
1/2 cup (liquid)
Instructions
1
In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, breadcrumbs, minced parsley, nutmeg, onion powder, 1/4 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon pepper, egg, and minced garlic. Mix well until all ingredients are fully integrated.
2
Shape the mixture into 16 equal meatballs, ensuring they are compact to hold their shape.
3
Preheat the broiler and place the meatballs on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Broil the meatballs for about 5-7 minutes, or until they are golden brown on all sides.
4
While the meatballs are broiling, prepare the sauce by steaming the chopped tomatoes and onion in a pot over medium heat until the vegetables are tender, about 5-7 minutes.
5
Once the meatballs are nicely browned, carefully transfer them to the pot with the tomato and onion mixture.
6
Add the additional parsley, remaining salt, cinnamon, a dash of saffron (if using), turmeric, 1/4 teaspoon pepper, and tomato juice to the pot. Stir well to combine all ingredients.
7
Cover the pot with a lid and let the meatballs simmer gently on low heat for 30 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together beautifully.
8
Serve warm, garnished with extra minced parsley if desired.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Savory Tunisian Spiced Meatballs?
They are a North African inspired dish featuring ground beef meatballs seasoned with aromatic spices like nutmeg and cinnamon, simmered in a fragrant tomato sauce.
What type of meat is used in this recipe?
This recipe uses one pound of raw ground beef.
How many servings does this recipe provide?
This recipe makes 8 servings.
How many meatballs should I form?
You should shape the mixture into 16 equal-sized meatballs.
What ingredients are needed for the meatball mixture?
The mixture includes ground beef, breadcrumbs, minced parsley, nutmeg, onion powder, salt, pepper, a beaten egg, and minced garlic.
How are the meatballs cooked initially?
The meatballs are broiled on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper for 5 to 7 minutes until golden brown.
What vegetables are used in the sauce?
The sauce is made using chopped tomatoes and chopped onions.
How is the sauce base prepared?
The chopped tomatoes and onions are steamed in a pot over medium heat for 5 to 7 minutes until tender.
What spices are added to the tomato sauce?
The sauce is seasoned with parsley, salt, cinnamon, saffron (optional), turmeric, and pepper.
Is saffron required for this recipe?
No, saffron is an optional ingredient used to add a dash of flavor and color.
What liquid is used for the simmering sauce?
A half-cup of tomato juice is added to the pot to create the simmering liquid.
How long do the meatballs simmer?
The meatballs should simmer gently on low heat for 30 minutes with the lid on.
What is the best way to serve Tunisian meatballs?
They are best served warm over couscous or with crusty bread to soak up the sauce.
What garnish is recommended?
You can garnish the dish with extra minced parsley if desired.
What is the purpose of the egg in the meatballs?
The beaten egg acts as a binder to help the meatballs hold their shape.
Should I use parchment paper when broiling?
Yes, lining the baking sheet with parchment paper prevents the meatballs from sticking.
What heat level is used for steaming the vegetables?
The tomatoes and onions should be steamed over medium heat.
What heat level is used for simmering?
The meatballs should be simmered on low heat.
How many cloves of garlic are needed?
This recipe calls for one minced garlic clove.
How much cinnamon is used?
The recipe uses 1/4 teaspoon of ground cinnamon in the sauce.
What kind of breadcrumbs should I use?
The recipe specifies 1/2 cup of dry breadcrumbs.
Is turmeric included in the meat or the sauce?
Turmeric is added to the pot during the sauce-making and simmering stage.
Does this recipe include onion powder or fresh onion?
It uses both: onion powder in the meatballs and chopped fresh onion in the sauce.
How much tomato juice is required?
You will need 1/2 cup of tomato juice.
Can I serve this for a family dinner?
Yes, it is described as perfect for a cozy family dinner or impressive for gatherings.
What is the total number of ingredients?
There are 15 ingredients in total.
Are the meatballs compact?
Yes, the instructions suggest making them compact so they hold their shape during cooking.
How much nutmeg is in the meatballs?
The recipe uses 1/4 teaspoon of ground nutmeg.
Should the pot be covered while simmering?
Yes, cover the pot with a lid to allow the flavors to meld beautifully.
Is the salt used all at once?
No, the salt is divided; 1/4 teaspoon goes in the meatballs and the remainder goes in the sauce.