Cumin Meatballs Recipes

GREEK MEATBALLS RECIPE (KEFTEDES/ KEFTETHES)

Steps:

• To prepare this traditional Greek meatballs recipe (keftedes), add all the ingredients into a large bowl and mix well (for about 5-10 minutes), squeezing with your hands, to allow the flavours to blend. Cover the bowl with some plastic wrap and let it rest in the fridge for 1 hour.
• Turn the mixture for the keftedes out of the fridge and roll into meatballs the size of a walnut (or bigger if you prefer). If you're frying them, dredge the rolled meatballs lightly in flour making sure to shake off any excess. Fry until nicely browned on all sides.
• The traditional way of cooking Greek meatballs (keftedes) is frying them. Fry the keftedes in batches of 10-15 at a time, until nicely browned on all sides.
• Instead of frying you can bake / grill the keftedes in the oven. Preheat the oven at 200C, place the un-floured keftedes on greased baking sheet about an inch apart. Bake for about 20 minutes, turning the meatballs upside down midway through cooking time. The grilled version is much lighter than the fried so theres not excuse to not trying it now!
• Keftedes (Greek meatballs) are ideally served as an appetizer (meze) with some creamy tzatziki sauce and pita breads or as a main course with some basmati rice and a Greek salad. Enjoy!

MIDDLE EASTERN CUMIN MEATBALLS

Steps:

• Combine the ground beef, egg, garlic, bread crumbs, cumin, salt, and pepper in a large bowl until well mixed. Roll the mixture into egg-sized balls, and set aside.
• Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the meatballs; cook until firm, and browned on all sides, about 10 minutes. Remove meatballs from the skillet and pour out the fat.
• Bring the water to a boil in the same skillet over medium-high heat. Stir in the tomato paste, lemon juice, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium. Add the cooked meatballs, and simmer in the tomato sauce for 5 to 10 minutes until completely cooked.

CUMIN LAMB MEATBALLS WITH TAHINI YOGURT DIPPING SAUCE

Steps:

• Heat broiler with an oven rack placed 3 inches below heat source.
• Using a mortar and pestle or the flat side of a knife, make a paste with garlic and a pinch of salt. Put half the garlic paste in a large bowl and add lamb, 1 teaspoon of the salt, cumin, hot sauce, pepper, chile powder, scallion and 1 tablespoon parsley. Mix to combine.
• Shape lamb mixture into 1 1/2-inch meatballs and place on an oiled rimmed baking sheet. Make sure meatballs are spaced at least 1 inch apart. Transfer baking sheet to oven and broil meatballs for 8 to 10 minutes, or until browned on top and slightly pink on the inside.
• Meanwhile, combine yogurt, tahini, remaining garlic paste,1/4 teaspoon salt and the lemon juice to taste.
• Transfer cooked meatballs to a serving platter or individual plates and serve with tahini sauce and extra hot sauce, if you like. Garnish with the remaining parsley.

MEATBALLS

Steps:

• If your meat is not already minced, whiz it up in a food processor to the required consistency and place it in a bowl. Use the food processor to turn the slices of bread into bread crumbs. Add the bread crumbs, dried oregano, cumin, coriander, chile, rosemary, and egg to the minced meat and season with a good pinch of salt and a good twist of black pepper. Mix well, and with wet hands, roll, and pat into meatballs the size and shape you want. (These can be cooked straight away or put on greaseproof paper, covered with plastic wrap and refrigerated for up to 1 day.)
• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C/gas 6).
• Preheat a thick-bottomed casserole to a very hot temperature. Add 3 to 4 tablespoons of olive oil, swirl around the bottom of the pan, and add your meatballs. Fry them until they are brown all over, being careful not to break them up but just moving the pan around so that all sides of the meatballs get nicely colored.
• Meanwhile, to make your tomato sauce, fry the onion and garlic in a little oil. Add the dried oregano and tomatoes, rip in the basil leaves, season, and gently simmer for a few minutes. Turn the heat down, and pour over the meatballs with the mozzarella and grated Parmesan. Drizzle with olive oil and cook in the oven for about 15 to 20 minutes, until the cheese is golden. Serve with the cooked and drained spaghetti.

CUMIN MEATBALLS

Steps:

• Mix meat, egg, bread cumbs, garlic, cumin, salt and pepper.
• Divide into 20 equal-size balls.
• Roll each ball into egg shape.
• Set aside.
• Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
• Add meatballs, brown on all sides.
• Remove from skillet and set aside.
• Drain skillet.
• Pour 3/4 cup water into skillet.
• Add tomato paste, lemon juice, garlic powder, salt and pepper.
• Bring to a boil, reduce heat to medium, cook 5 minutes.
• Return meat to skillet and cook just until heated through.

SPICY MEATBALLS

Steps:

• In a wide, heavy saucepan, heat the olive oil over medium heat, about 3 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute.
• Add the spices and cook, stirring, for 30 seconds. Add the chopped tomatoes. Bring to a boil, then lower the heat to medium-low and simmer, covered, for 10 minutes, while you're preparing the meatballs.
• In a medium bowl, use your hands to gently mix the meat and the spices. Divide the mixture into 24 equal portions (each weighs about 20 grams) and shape them into small, 1-inch meatballs.
• Add the meatballs to the sauce. Turn the heat to medium-high and bring to a boil, then lower the heat back to medium-low, cover, and simmer until the meatballs are cooked through, about 30 minutes. Sprinkle the dish with cilantro and serve.

ALBONDIGAS AL CHIPOTLE MEATBALLS IN CHIPOTLE SAUCE

Steps:

• In a large skillet over medium heat, warm the oil until sizzling. Add the onion, 1 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper, then cook, stirring occasionally until browned, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic, oregano, and cumin, then cook, stirring for 30 seconds. Remove from the heat, then transfer 1/2 cup of the mixture to a large mixing bowl; set aside the skillet with the remaining mixture. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Into the bowl with the onion mixture, stir in the panko and 1/2 cup water. Let stand until the panko softens, about 5 minutes. Using a spatula, mash the mixture to a paste, then add the beef, 1/2 cup cilantro and 1 teaspoon of salt and pepper. Mix well, then divide into 16 two-tablespoon portions, rolling each into a ball and placing on the prepared baking sheet. Cover and refrigerate for 15 to 30 minutes. Meanwhile, heat the oven to 450 F with a rack in the middle position.
• Uncover the meatballs and roast until browned and the centre reaches a temperature of 160 F, 12-15 minutes. Remove from the oven and set aside.
• To the skillet with the remaining onion mixture, stir in the tomatoes and 1/2 cup water. Bring to a simmer over medium high, then add the chipotle chilies and cook, stirring occasionally, until a spatula drawn through the sauce leaves a trail, about 3 minutes. Taste and season with salt and pepper. Add the meatballs and stir gently to coat with the sauce, then stir in the remaining 1/4 cup of cilantro with sprinkle of queso fresco.

MOROCCAN-SPICED CHICKEN MEATBALLS

Steps:

• First, make the yogurt sauce: Combine 1 cup of the yogurt, 1 teaspoon of the garlic, the lemon juice, 1/4 teaspoon salt and black pepper to taste in a small bowl. Mix well, and chill until ready to use.
• Make the meatballs: In a large bowl, combine the remaining 1/3 cup yogurt, remaining 1 tablespoon garlic, chicken, panko, egg, parsley, olive oil, sugar, paprika, cumin, ginger, cinnamon, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt and a few generous grinds of black pepper. Mix gently but thoroughly, until incorporated. Using an ice cream scoop or two spoons, form meatballs about 1 1/2-inches in diameter, then place them on a plate or sheet pan until ready to use.
• In a large skillet, heat 1/8-inch olive oil over medium-high heat. When the oil is hot, fry the meatballs in batches, flipping occasionally, until browned all over and cooked through, 4 to 5 minutes. (If the meatballs begin browning too quickly or the oil begins smoking, lower the heat.) Transfer the cooked meatballs to a paper towel-lined plate.
• To serve, spread the yogurt sauce in an even layer on a flat platter. Arrange the meatballs on top, and top with a sprinkle of chopped parsley and the pine nuts, if using. Serve hot.