Albanian-style Spiced Meatballs with Yogurt Sauce

Ingredients

• 500g (1.1 lb) ground beef 500g (1.1 lb) ground beef
• 250g (0.55 lb) ground lamb 250g (0.55 lb) ground lamb
• 1 small onion, finely chopped 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 3 cloves of garlic, minced 3 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1/4 cup breadcrumbs 1/4 cup breadcrumbs
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon paprika 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
• 2 tablespoons fresh mint, chopped 2 tablespoons fresh mint, chopped
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil (for frying) 1/4 cup vegetable oil (for frying)
• For the yogurt sauce: For the yogurt sauce:
• 1 cup Greek yogurt 1 cup Greek yogurt
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped 1 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped
• Salt and pepper to taste Salt and pepper to taste

Nutrition

• Calories: 380 kcal / 1590 KJ
• Fat: 25g (total), 8g (saturated)
• Carbohydrates: 7g (total), 2g (sugars)
• Protein: 32g
• Fiber: 1g
• Salt: 1.2g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, ground lamb, chopped onion, minced garlic, breadcrumbs, cumin, paprika, salt, black pepper, parsley, and mint. 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 the vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the meatballs in batches, making sure not to overcrowd the pan. Cook for about 4-5 minutes per side, or until golden brown and cooked through.
4. 4.
   Remove the meatballs from the skillet and place them on a paper towel-lined plate to drain any excess oil.
5. 5.
   In a separate bowl, combine the Greek yogurt, lemon juice, chopped dill, salt, and pepper. Stir well to combine.
6. 6.
   Serve the spiced meatballs with the yogurt sauce on the side. Garnish with additional fresh herbs, if desired.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Ground beef and lamb — Make sure to use lean ground meat for healthier meatballs. If you prefer a stronger lamb flavor, you can increase the amount of ground lamb in the mixture.
• Fresh herbs — For the best flavor, use fresh parsley and mint. If you don't have fresh herbs, you can substitute with dried herbs, but reduce the amount by half.

Tips & Tricks

• To ensure the meatballs hold their shape, refrigerate the mixture for 30 minutes before shaping them.
• If you prefer a spicier kick, add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the meatball mixture.
• For a lighter version, you can bake the meatballs in the oven at 200°C (400°F) for 15-20 minutes instead of frying them.

Serving advice

Serve the spiced meatballs with warm pita bread or rice pilaf for a complete meal. They can also be enjoyed as an appetizer or served on skewers for a party.

Presentation advice

Arrange the meatballs on a platter, drizzle the yogurt sauce over them, and sprinkle with fresh herbs for an attractive presentation. Serve with lemon wedges on the side for an extra burst of citrus flavor.