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.