Zesty Spiced Lamb Meatballs with Tomato Bliss
Indulge your taste buds with these zesty spiced lamb meatballs simmered to perfection in a rich tomato sauce. Bursting with flavors from fresh herbs and a hint of heat from sambal oelek and chili peppers, these meatballs are complemented by creamy goat cheese and fresh parsley for a truly delightful dish. Serve with warm, buttery naan for an unforgettable meal that’s perfect for entertaining or a cozy family dinner. A recipe inspired by the culinary prowess of Chuck Hughes.
4
Servings
290
Calories
28
Ingredients
Ingredients
Breadcrumbs
1/2 cup (soaked in milk)
Milk
1/4 cup (for soaking breadcrumbs)
Lean ground lamb
1 pound (raw)
Pecorino cheese
1/2 cup (grated)
Dijon mustard
1 tablespoon (raw)
Paprika
1 tablespoon (spice)
Sambal oelek
1 teaspoon (spice)
Garlic
2 cloves (minced)
Shallot
1 (diced)
Salt
to taste (seasoning)
Black pepper
to taste (freshly ground)
Olive oil
3 tablespoons (for cooking)
Onion
1 (minced)
Carrot
1 (finely diced)
Celery rib
1 (finely diced)
Fresh red chili pepper
1/2 (minced)
Canned tomatoes
2 cups (crushed or whole)
Fresh tomatoes
4 large (diced)
Fresh oregano
2 sprigs (fresh)
Fresh goat cheese
1/4 cup (soft)
Fresh parsley
1 handful (chopped)
Naan bread
for serving (warmed and buttered)
Active dry yeast
1 teaspoon (for naan)
Sugar
2 tablespoons (for naan)
Salt
1 teaspoon (for naan)
All-purpose flour
2 1/2 cups (plus more for dusting)
Canola oil
for greasing (for the bowl and skillet)
Butter
1/2 cup (clarified or melted, for naan)
Instructions
1
Begin by soaking the breadcrumbs in the milk for about 5 minutes to soften them.
2
In a large mixing bowl, combine the soaked breadcrumbs with ground lamb, grated pecorino cheese, Dijon mustard, paprika, sambal oelek, minced garlic, diced shallots, and a generous pinch of salt and pepper. Mix well until all ingredients are thoroughly combined.
3
Form the mixture into approximately 20 small, bite-sized meatballs.
4
In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Once the oil is shimmering, carefully add the meatballs and sear them on all sides until they are golden brown. Remove the meatballs from the skillet and set them aside.
5
In the same skillet, add the minced onion and sauté until they become translucent, roughly 2 minutes.
6
Incorporate the minced garlic, diced carrot, diced celery, and minced chili pepper into the skillet. Continue to sauté for an additional 2 minutes until the vegetables soften.
7
Add the canned tomatoes, diced fresh tomatoes, oregano sprigs, and 1/4 cup of water to the skillet. Season the mixture with salt and pepper to taste.
8
Carefully return the seared meatballs to the skillet, ensuring they are submerged in the sauce. Let the mixture simmer on medium-low heat for about 20 minutes until the meatballs are cooked through and the flavors meld beautifully.
9
Once ready, use a slotted spoon to evenly distribute the meatballs onto serving plates. Generously spoon the luscious tomato sauce over the top.
10
Top each serving with a dollop of soft fresh goat cheese and a sprinkle of chopped parsley for freshness.
11
Serve immediately with warm, buttered naan bread on the side to soak up all the delicious sauces.
Nutrition Information
15.2
Fat
22.5
Carbs
15.5
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main protein used in the Zesty Spiced Lamb Meatballs?
The main protein in this recipe is one pound of lean ground lamb.
How many meatballs does this recipe yield?
The recipe instructions suggest forming the mixture into approximately 20 small, bite-sized meatballs.
What ingredient is used to soften the breadcrumbs?
The breadcrumbs are soaked in 1/4 cup of milk for about 5 minutes to soften them before mixing.
What type of cheese is included in the meatball mixture?
1/2 cup of grated pecorino cheese is mixed into the meatballs.
What provides the spicy flavor in the meatballs?
The meatballs are seasoned with sambal oelek and paprika for a zesty, spiced flavor.
How are the meatballs initially cooked?
The meatballs are seared in olive oil over medium-high heat until they are golden brown on all sides.
What vegetables are included in the tomato sauce base?
The sauce includes minced onion, diced carrot, diced celery, minced garlic, and minced fresh red chili pepper.
What two types of tomatoes are used for the sauce?
The sauce uses 2 cups of canned tomatoes and 4 large diced fresh tomatoes.
How long should the meatballs simmer in the sauce?
The meatballs should simmer in the sauce on medium-low heat for about 20 minutes.
What fresh herb is added to the skillet while the sauce simmers?
Two sprigs of fresh oregano are added to the skillet to infuse the sauce with flavor.
What are the two final toppings used for garnish?
The dish is topped with a dollop of soft fresh goat cheese and a sprinkle of chopped fresh parsley.
What side dish is recommended for serving with these meatballs?
The recipe suggests serving the meatballs with warm, buttered naan bread.
How many servings does this recipe provide?
This recipe is designed to serve 4 people.
What is the calorie count per serving?
Each serving contains approximately 290 calories.
Who is the culinary inspiration for this recipe?
The recipe is inspired by the culinary prowess of Chuck Hughes.
What is the total fat content per serving?
Each serving contains 15.2 grams of fat.
How many grams of protein are in each serving?
There are 15.5 grams of protein per serving.
What is the carbohydrate count for this dish?
One serving contains 22.5 grams of carbohydrates.
What ingredients are required to make the naan bread listed in the recipe?
The naan ingredients include active dry yeast, sugar, salt, all-purpose flour, canola oil, and butter.
How much garlic is used in the meatballs?
The meatball mixture uses 2 cloves of minced garlic.
What type of mustard is used in the meatball mixture?
One tablespoon of Dijon mustard is used to season the meatballs.
How is the onion prepared for the sauce?
The onion is minced and then sautéed for roughly 2 minutes until translucent.
What tool is recommended for serving the meatballs?
A slotted spoon is recommended to evenly distribute the meatballs onto serving plates.
How much water is added to the tomato sauce?
1/4 cup of water is added to the skillet along with the tomatoes and oregano.
What kind of oil is used to sear the meatballs?
Three tablespoons of olive oil are used for searing the meatballs.
How many ingredients are in this recipe in total?
The recipe contains 28 ingredients in total.
What type of lamb is specified in the ingredients?
The recipe calls for one pound of lean ground lamb.
What is the preparation method for the carrot and celery?
Both the carrot and the celery rib should be finely diced before being added to the sauce.
Is the chili pepper used in the meatballs or the sauce?
A fresh red chili pepper is minced and added specifically to the vegetable base of the tomato sauce.
What kind of butter is used for the naan bread?
The recipe suggests using 1/2 cup of clarified or melted butter for the naan.