Tangy Meatballs with Cilantro Raita

  • Level: Easy
  • Yield: 8 servings (about 32 meatballs)
  • Total: 1 hr 20 min
  • Prep: 20 min
  • Inactive: 35 min
  • Cook: 25 min
Ground beef comes together with yogurt, chutney, breadcrumbs and spices in these mouthwatering meatballs that channel the flavors of tandoori. Serve with a garlicky cilantro raita to round it all out.
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Ingredients

2 tablespoons unsalted butter

1 small onion, finely chopped

Kosher salt

1 1/2 teaspoons curry powder

3 cloves garlic, finely chopped

Vegetable oil, for greasing baking sheet

1 pound ground beef

1 cup Greek yogurt

2 tablespoons panko breadcrumbs

2 tablespoons tamarind chutney, plus more for serving

1 teaspoon paprika

1/8 teaspoon cayenne, optional

2 large eggs, lightly beaten

2 tablespoons finely chopped cilantro

Bibb or green leaf lettuce, torn into 4-inch pieces, for serving

1/4 cup finely grated cucumber, for garnish

Directions

  1. Cook's Note: If tamarind chutney is unavailable, you can substitute apple butter with a bit of lemon juice and cayenne stirred in.
  2. 1. Melt the butter in a small skillet over medium heat and cook the onions, stirring occasionally, until soft, about 5 minutes. Add 1/4 teaspoon salt, the curry powder and two-thirds of the garlic and continue cooking, stirring, until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Transfer the mixture to a large bowl and let cool.
  3. 2. Lightly oil a rimmed baking sheet. Add the beef, 1/4 cup of the yogurt, the breadcrumbs, tamarind chutney, paprika, cayenne , if using, 1 1/4 teaspoons salt and the eggs to the onion mixture. Combine the ingredients using your hands. Form into 1 1/4- inch balls, rolling them lightly between your hands to shape. Place on the oiled baking sheet, cover loosely with plastic wrap and refrigerate at least 30 minutes or overnight.
  4. 3. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Bake the meatballs until browned, about 20 minutes.
  5. 4. Meanwhile, stir together the remaining 3/4 cup yogurt, remaining garlic, 1/2 teaspoon salt and cilantro in a small bowl. Arrange each meatball on top of a piece of lettuce on a platter. Top with grated cucumber and a bit of tamarind chutney and serve with the yogurt dipping sauce.

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Uldene

This was a quick and easy recipe. The flavor and textures were wonderful. I used a melon baller to create unified size meatballs so I baked only 12 min. I used Butter lettuce, which worked wonderful for size. This recipe made 30 meatballs and was enjoyed by all at family reunion.

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