Syrian Beef Meatballs with Sweet Cherry Sauce
Experience the rich flavors of the Middle East with this delightful recipe for Syrian Beef Meatballs with Sweet Cherry Sauce. Juicy ground beef is expertly seasoned and shaped into tender meatballs, which are then simmered in a luscious cherry sauce infused with allspice and zesty lemon juice. The interplay of savory and sweet flavors in this dish makes it perfect for sharing with family and friends. Serve it over rice or with warm pita bread for a hearty meal that is both comforting and exotic.
4
Servings
200
Calories
11
Ingredients
Ingredients
ground beef
1 lb (raw)
allspice
1/2 teaspoon (ground)
pepper
1 teaspoon (ground)
salt
1 teaspoon
pine nuts
1/4 cup (ground)
dried cherries
1 cup (soaked)
water
1 cup
lemon juice
1 tablespoon (freshly squeezed)
onions
1.5 cups (thinly sliced)
olive oil
2 tablespoons
green onions
3 (minced)
Instructions
1
In a bowl, combine dried cherries, 1/2 teaspoon allspice, lemon juice, and water. Let it soak for 1 hour to soften the cherries and allow the flavors to meld.
2
In a skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the thinly sliced onions and sauté until they become golden brown, about 5-7 minutes. Then, pour in the cherry mixture and stir, letting it cook for an additional 5 minutes until heated through.
3
In a mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, 1/2 teaspoon allspice, pepper, salt, and ground pine nuts. Form the mixture into walnut-sized meatballs.
4
In another skillet over medium-high heat, fry the meatballs until they are browned on all sides, approximately 8-10 minutes.
5
Once browned, add the meatballs to the cherry sauce and simmer on low heat for 15 minutes, allowing all the flavors to meld together.
6
Serve warm, garnished with minced green onions on top and enjoy!
Nutrition Information
10
Fat
17.5
Carbs
10
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Syrian Beef Meatballs with Sweet Cherry Sauce?
It is a traditional Middle Eastern dish consisting of seasoned ground beef meatballs simmered in a savory and sweet sauce made from dried cherries, allspice, and lemon juice.
How many servings does this recipe yield?
This recipe makes 4 servings.
What is the calorie count per serving?
Each serving contains approximately 200 calories.
What type of meat is used in these meatballs?
The recipe calls for 1 lb of raw ground beef.
How long should I soak the dried cherries?
The dried cherries should be soaked in a mixture of water, allspice, and lemon juice for 1 hour.
What spices are needed for the meatballs?
The meatballs are seasoned with ground allspice, ground pepper, and salt.
How do I prepare the pine nuts for this recipe?
The 1/4 cup of pine nuts should be ground before being mixed into the ground beef.
How long should I sauté the onions?
Sauté the thinly sliced onions in olive oil for about 5-7 minutes until they are golden brown.
What size should the meatballs be?
The meat mixture should be formed into walnut-sized meatballs.
How long does it take to brown the meatballs?
Browning the meatballs on all sides takes approximately 8-10 minutes over medium-high heat.
How long do the meatballs simmer in the sauce?
Once added to the cherry sauce, the meatballs should simmer on low heat for 15 minutes.
What is the protein content of this dish?
Each serving provides 10 grams of protein.
How many carbohydrates are in a serving?
There are 17.5 grams of carbohydrates per serving.
What is the total fat content per serving?
There are 10 grams of fat per serving.
What should I serve with these Syrian meatballs?
It is recommended to serve this dish over rice or with warm pita bread.
What garnish is used for this dish?
The dish is garnished with three minced green onions.
How much lemon juice is required?
The recipe requires 1 tablespoon of freshly squeezed lemon juice.
What is the total amount of allspice used?
The recipe uses 1/2 teaspoon in the cherry soak and 1/2 teaspoon in the meatball mixture, totaling 1 teaspoon.
Is this dish considered easy to make?
Yes, one of the tags for this recipe is 'easy dinner'.
How many onions are needed?
You will need 1.5 cups of thinly sliced onions.
Can I use any type of oil for frying?
The recipe specifically recommends using 2 tablespoons of olive oil.
How much water is needed for the cherry sauce?
The recipe calls for 1 cup of water to soak the dried cherries.
What kind of flavor profile does this dish have?
It features an interplay of savory flavors from the beef and pine nuts with sweet and zesty notes from the cherries and lemon.
Are the cherries fresh or dried?
The recipe uses 1 cup of dried cherries.
How much salt is included in the meatball mix?
The recipe uses 1 teaspoon of salt.
How much pepper is included in the meatball mix?
The recipe uses 1 teaspoon of ground pepper.
What category of cuisine does this recipe fall into?
It falls under Syrian and Middle Eastern cuisine.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 11 ingredients in total.
Are the meatballs fried in the same pan as the sauce?
No, the meatballs are fried in a separate skillet and then added to the skillet containing the cherry sauce.
Is there any fiber or sugar information available?
The provided data does not list specific values for fiber or sugar.