CategoriesItalian Pasta

Spiced Lamb Meatballs with Piquillo Pepper Pesto

Spiced Lamb Meatballs with Piquillo Pepper Pesto

Recipe by Carlos Leo 

This lamb meatballs recipe is perfect as an appetizer or as a main dish. Serve on a bed of Greek yogurt with a piquillo pepper pesto.

For Meatballs: ( 20-21 meatballs)

  • 1 lb. ground lamb
  • 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 tbsp fresh mint ((chopped))
  • 1/4 cup parsley ((finely chopped))
  • 2-1/2 tbsp cilantro ((fresh chopped))
  • 1/2 tsp cumin ((ground))
  • 1/4 tsp turmeric ((ground))
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • 1/2 tsp oregano
  • 1 tsp kosher salt (plus some extra.)
  • 1/8 tsp black pepper ((ground))
  • 1 garlic clove (grated/smashed)
  • 1/2 small onion (grated)
  • 2 tbsp Olive Oil ((Extra Virgin))

For Piquillo Pepper Pesto:

  • 1 jar (10oz) Piquillo Peppers
  • 1/4 cup pine nuts ( toasted)
  • 3 garlic cloves
  • 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese ((grated))
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley (roughly chopped)
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp pepper
  • 1/2 cup (at least) Olive Oil ((Extra Virgin))

Meatballs:

  1. Place a rack in the upper third of the oven; preheat to 425°F.
  2. Combine all the meatball ingredients in a large bowl and mix together. Add lamb and mix with your hands until evenly distributed.
  3. Gently roll lamb mixture into 1½” diameter balls (about the size of a golf ball). You should have about 20-21. I use a small ice cream scoop like this one. Place meatballs on a rimmed baking sheet.
  4. Bake meatballs until browned and cooked through – about 8–10 minutes.

Piquillo Pepper Pesto:

  1. Add all ingredients except the olive oil in a food processor and combine.
  2. With the processor running, slowly pour in the olive oil and process until the pesto is thoroughly pureed – about a minute.
  3. Reserve for assembly. If pesto is a bit thick, just add more olive oil. Taste pesto; season with more salt if needed.
Dinner, Lunch
Breadcrumbs, Olive Oil

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