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Middle Eastern Meatballs

This is an easy recipe to do well. Just follow the recipe. Make any adjustments to suit your taste. You are sure to receive many praises for this lovely dish from Jordan.
Prep Time45 mins
Cook Time45 mins
Total Time1 hr 30 mins
Course: Appetizer, Buffet, Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Keyword: Jordan, meatballs, Middle Eastern, pomegranate molasses
Servings: 6 people
Author: Candace Wilkinson Roney

Equipment

  • 3-quart mixing bowl
  • skillet

Ingredients

For the meatballs

  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 pound ground lamb
  • 1 large egg
  • 2 slices stale bread torn
  • 1 small onion finely chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 Tbsp. Ras al Hanout spice blend*
  • 2 tsp. dried spearmint
  • tsp. salt
  • Fresh ground black pepper to taste
  • 3 Tbsp. olive oil

For the sauce

  • 1 10-oz. can beef or chicken broth
  • 2 Tbsp. pomegranate molasses
  • 1 Tbsp. palm sugar or light brown sugar
  • 1 Tbsp. sweet paprika
  • ¼ tsp. cayenne pepper
  • 1 Tbsp. cornstarch or arrowroot
  • ¼ cup water

Instructions

For the meatballs

  • In the large mixing bowl, place the ground meat, egg, bread, onion, garlic, spices and mint. Season with the salt and pepper
  • Mix well with your hands.
  • Form into meatballs about 1-inch in diameter, place on a platter until all are made.
  • Heat the oil in the skillet to medium high and brown the meatballs on all sides; removing to a platter when browned.

For the sauce

  • Drain the oil from the skillet and add the broth, pomegranate molasses, sugar and spices.
  • Simmer, while stirring occasionally, until the sauce starts to thicken a little.
  • While waiting for the sauce to thicken, stir the cornstarch/arrowroot into the water. While stirring, add the cornstarch/arrowroot slurry to the simmering sauce.
  • Continue cooking and stirring for about 5 minutes.
  • Add the meatballs to the sauce and cook, uncovered, about 20 minutes, until the sauce thickens to the consistency of a glaze.

Notes

*Ras al Hanout is a popular Middle Eastern and African spice blend that has many ingredients and is quite complex.  It may be found in international markets and grocers as well as online.  In a pinch, a curry powder blend, or Garam Masala blend will work well.
*Gather your spices and blend your own Ras al Hanout seasoning.
*Serve this dish with brown rice, white rice, couscous, or steamed bulgur wheat.