Lebanese-style Meatballs in Tomato Sauce

Ingredients

• 500g (1.1 lb) ground beef 500g (1.1 lb) ground beef
• 1 onion, finely chopped 1 onion, finely chopped
• 3 cloves of garlic, minced 3 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1/4 cup breadcrumbs 1/4 cup breadcrumbs
• 1 egg, beaten 1 egg, beaten
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• Salt and pepper to taste Salt and pepper to taste
• 2 tablespoons olive oil 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 4 tomatoes, diced 4 tomatoes, diced
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 cup water 1 cup water
• Juice of 1 lemon Juice of 1 lemon
• Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish) Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 350 kcal / 1465 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 20g, 7g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 12g, 5g
• Protein: 30g
• Fiber: 3g
• Salt: 1g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, chopped onion, minced garlic, breadcrumbs, beaten egg, ground cinnamon, ground allspice, ground nutmeg, salt, and pepper. Mix well until all the ingredients are evenly incorporated.
2. 2.
   Shape the mixture into small meatballs, about the size of a golf ball.
3. 3.
   Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the meatballs and cook until browned on all sides, about 5 minutes. Remove the meatballs from the skillet and set aside.
4. 4.
   In the same skillet, add the diced tomatoes, tomato paste, water, and lemon juice. Stir well to combine.
5. 5.
   Return the meatballs to the skillet, making sure they are submerged in the tomato sauce. Cover the skillet and simmer for 20-25 minutes, or until the meatballs are cooked through and the sauce has thickened.
6. 6.
   Serve the Lebanese-style meatballs in tomato sauce hot, garnished with fresh parsley. Enjoy with fluffy rice or warm pita bread.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Ground beef — Choose lean ground beef for a healthier option. If you prefer a richer flavor, you can use a combination of ground beef and ground lamb.
• Ground cinnamon — Use a good quality ground cinnamon for the best flavor. Adjust the amount according to your personal preference.
• Fresh tomatoes — Use ripe and juicy tomatoes for a vibrant and fresh taste. If fresh tomatoes are not available, you can substitute with canned diced tomatoes.

Tips & Tricks

• For extra flavor, you can add a pinch of ground cloves to the meatball mixture.
• If the tomato sauce is too thick, you can add a little more water to achieve the desired consistency.
• Serve the meatballs with a dollop of Greek yogurt or tahini sauce for a creamy and tangy twist.
• Leftover meatballs can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated before serving.
• Feel free to customize the spice blend to suit your taste preferences. You can add a hint of cayenne pepper for a spicy kick.

Serving advice

Serve the Lebanese-style meatballs in tomato sauce over a bed of fluffy rice or with warm pita bread. Garnish with fresh parsley for a pop of color and freshness.

Presentation advice

Arrange the meatballs in a shallow serving dish, spoon the tomato sauce over them, and sprinkle with chopped parsley. Serve with a side of rice or warm pita bread.