Spilled drink and delicious meatballs – the first time I tasted the Moroccan lamb meatballs was very memorable. Not because of the meatballs alone, but also because of the compassion and hospitality of the Syrian woman who cooked them for me.
I will never forget the evening I had in a Middle Eastern restaurant in Brooklyn. First and foremost, the restaurant was alive with culture and flavors, providing memories of the night for years to come. It was truly like being immersed in the area’s history and cuisine. Something that felt unique, surreal, and wonderful all at once. Additionally, the moment I stepped through the door, the tantalizing smell of herbs and roasting meat filled my nostrils, immediately making me salivate. As a result, the waiter guided me to a warm and inviting table where I hurriedly checked out the menu. After browsing for a while, I eventually settled on the delicious Moroccan lamb meatballs as my main course.
When the waiter brought the dish to my table, its presentation astounded me, in addition to its flavor which was magnificent. Firstly, The spice was just right on the tender, juicy meatballs that were accompanied by fluffy rice and a zesty tomato sauce. Furthermore, as I savored each bite, I couldn’t help but wonder who had created such a delicious dish.
The restaurant was owned by a Syrian woman and it was she who made the highly acclaimed Moroccan lamb meatballs. Notably, she had escaped the conflict in her homeland and began an enterprise to spread her culture and food to all corners of the earth. In this way, she aspired through her business to portray her cultural heritage with cuisine from her nation featured in it. I was impressed by her strength and resilience, and it made me appreciate the meal even more.
Just as I raised the fork to my mouth, there was a disturbance at the neighboring table which took my focus away from the food. However, tempers had begun to rise when an unfortunate mishap arose – where one customer had spilled their drink on another. Despite the commotion, the owner quickly stepped in, calming the situation and offering the soaked customer a fresh shirt from the back. As a result, her hospitality and generosity were demonstrated abundantly at her restaurant, leaving me with deep feelings of appreciation for being there.
After feasting on the delightful Moroccan lamb meatballs, I approached the owner and requested the recipe so that I could recreate it in my own kitchen. To my surprise, she agreed to give it to me! I was extremely happy and couldn’t wait to try making the dish at home.
The recipe called for lamb mince, grated onion, panko breadcrumbs, egg, garlic, cilantro, cumin, coriander, paprika, cinnamon, cayenne pepper, salt, black pepper, and olive oil. The combination of these ingredients was what made the meatballs so flavorful and tender.
To make the meatballs, mix all the ingredients together in a bowl and shape them into small balls. Heat the olive oil in a pan and cook the meatballs for a few minutes on each side until they are browned and cooked through. To serve the meatballs, make a minted yogurt sauce by mixing Greek yogurt, garlic, mint, lemon juice, salt, and pepper.
Moroccan lamb meatballs are a versatile dish that can be served in a variety of ways. One delicious option is to serve them with couscous, which is a staple in Moroccan cuisine. The combination of the couscous and meatballs creates a delicious and hearty meal.
Another option is to serve the lamb meatballs with roasted vegetables. You can roast vegetables such as zucchini, eggplant, and bell peppers in the oven. The roasted vegetables pair well with the spiced meatballs and add an extra layer of flavor and texture to the dish.
Finally, you can also serve the lamb meatballs with a fresh salad. A simple green salad with cucumber, tomato, and red onion tossed in lemon vinaigrette pairs well with the spicy meatballs. The fresh vegetables help balance out the richness of the lamb and provide a light and refreshing contrast to the dish.
Here’s the recipe for those delicious Moroccan lamb meatballs I had on that memorable night.
Ingredients:
Meatballs:
- Lamb mince: 1 lb / 500 g.
- Grated onion: 1/2 cup, incl. juices
- Panko breadcrumbs (1/2 cup).
- 1 egg
- 2 cloves garlic, crushed
- 1/4 cup cilantro, finely chopped.
- 1 tsp cumin, 1 tsp coriander, 1 tsp paprika (smoked).
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon, 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper (add more for spiciness).
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- Black pepper
Minted yogurt sauce:
- 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1 clove garlic, crushed
- 2 tbsp fresh, finely chopped mint (or 1 tbsp dried).
- A squeeze of lemon juice.
- Add seasoning: salt and pepper, to taste.
To serve as pockets:
- Four Lebanese flatbreads or pita
- Salad: combine lettuce leaves, tomato slices, finely sliced red onion, and a mixture of shredded red cabbage, carrot, and mint.
Optional: Mint and cilantro for garnish.
How to make Moroccan lamb meatballs?
Instructions for minted yogurt sauce:
- Mix the following ingredients in a bowl to make the Minted Yoghurt Sauce: mint, yogurt, garlic, lemon juice, salt, and pepper.
- After allowing the flavors to meld for 20+ minutes, your minted yogurt sauce is now ready.
Instructions for meatballs:
- In a large bowl, combine the ingredients for the meatballs except for the oil and mix them together.
- Using a heaped tablespoon as a measurer, roll the mix into 22-24 meatballs. Repeat until all of the mixtures are used up.
- In a skillet, heat the oil over medium heat and then add half of the meatballs. Gently turn them regularly as they cook for 8 minutes or until cooked through.
- Transfer the cooked meatballs from the pan to a plate then repeat – cooking the remaining meatballs in this same way.
Oven option:
- The oven should be preheated to a temperature of 200C/390F.
- Spray oil onto a tray containing the meatballs for added flavor.
- Bake the meatballs for around 20 minutes or until they are golden brown. Ensure the baking time does not exceed that duration or else you might end up with a burned batch!
- Racking the tray is an optional step in the process of cooking meatballs to help ensure their shape stays round during baking.
Instructions for pita pocket:
- Split the pita pockets in half. Cutting them down the middle will create two halves.
- Heat up the pita pockets for 10 seconds in a microwave.
- Pry open the pita pocket cautiously so as to ensure it does not break.
- Fill it with salad, then the cooked meatballs.
- Drizzle with the minted yogurt sauce and sprinkle with fresh mint and coriander if desired.
That’s it! I hope your family and friends will enjoy the delectable Moroccan lamb meatballs! Please also note that according to the Syrian lady who has given me this amazing recipe, you can also use beef, chicken, and turkey with your Moroccan meatballs with no recipe adjustments. Just remember to spray lots of oil if you are using chicken or turkey.
