Kufteh Tabrizi with a Twist

Ingredients

• For the meatballs: For the meatballs:
• 500g (1.1 lb) ground beef 500g (1.1 lb) ground beef
• 1 onion, grated 1 onion, grated
• 1/2 cup breadcrumbs 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh mint 1/4 cup chopped fresh mint
• 1/4 cup chopped pistachios 1/4 cup chopped pistachios
• 1/4 cup dried cranberries, chopped 1/4 cup dried cranberries, chopped
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• Salt and pepper to taste Salt and pepper to taste
• For the broth: For the broth:
• 4 cups beef or vegetable broth 4 cups beef or vegetable broth
• 1 cup tomato sauce 1 cup tomato sauce
• 2 tablespoons pomegranate molasses 2 tablespoons pomegranate molasses
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste 1 tablespoon tomato paste
• 1 onion, finely chopped 1 onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon olive oil 1 tablespoon olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste Salt and pepper to taste

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 450 kcal / 1884 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 25g, 8g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 20g, 8g
• Protein: 35g
• Fiber: 4g
• Salt: 1.5g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a large bowl, combine all the meatball ingredients and mix well until thoroughly combined.
2. 2.
   Take a small portion of the meat mixture and shape it into a ball. Make an indentation in the center and fill it with a teaspoon of the stuffing mixture. Seal the meatball and shape it into a smooth round shape. Repeat with the remaining meat and stuffing.
3. 3.
   In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic, and sauté until golden brown.
4. 4.
   Add the tomato paste and cook for a minute, stirring constantly.
5. 5.
   Pour in the beef or vegetable broth, tomato sauce, and pomegranate molasses. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
6. 6.
   Gently place the meatballs into the simmering broth. Cover the pot and let it cook for about 30 minutes, or until the meatballs are cooked through.
7. 7.
   Serve the Kufteh Tabrizi hot with saffron-infused rice or flatbread.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Pistachios — Make sure to chop the pistachios finely to ensure they blend well with the stuffing mixture.

Tips & Tricks

• To save time, you can prepare the stuffing mixture and shape the meatballs in advance. Store them in the refrigerator until ready to cook.
• If you prefer a thicker broth, you can add a tablespoon of flour mixed with water to the simmering broth.

Serving advice

Serve the Kufteh Tabrizi with a side of saffron-infused rice or warm flatbread. Garnish with fresh herbs, such as parsley or mint, for an extra burst of freshness.

Presentation advice

Arrange the meatballs in a shallow serving dish and pour the flavorful broth over them. Sprinkle some chopped pistachios and dried cranberries on top for an attractive presentation.