Meatballs with Spiced Tomato Sauce

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 tablespoons finely chopped onion
• 1 teaspoon minced fresh garlic
• 1/2 cup fresh breadcrumbs
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh mint
• 1/2 pound ground lamb
• 1/2 pound 90% lean ground beef
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt, divided
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, divided
• 1 large egg, lightly beaten

• 1/2 cup chopped onion
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 (15-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
• 1/4 cup water
• 3 (6-inch) whole-wheat pitas, halved and warmed
• Small mint leaves

Preparation

1. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 2 tablespoons onion and garlic; cook 1 minute, stirring constantly. Cool slightly. Combine onion mixture, breadcrumbs, and mint; add lamb, beef, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon pepper, and egg; stir gently. Shape into 30 (1-inch) meatballs.

2. Return pan to medium-high; add meatballs. Cook 4 minutes. Remove meatballs from pan. Add 1/2 cup onion to pan; sauté 2 minutes. Add ginger and next 3 ingredients; simmer 5 minutes. Stir in 1/4 cup water, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Return meatballs to pan; simmer 20 minutes or until done. Serve with pitas. Sprinkle with mint leaves.