Greek Lamb Meatballs With Tzatziki Recipes

GREEK LAMB MEATBALL SLIDERS WITH TZATZIKI

Steps:

• Preheat the broiler.
• For the lamb meatballs: Soak the breadcrumbs in the milk for 5 minutes. In a large bowl, combine the lamb, coriander, cumin, garlic, oregano, mint, some salt and pepper, and the soaked breadcrumbs. Mix well, but do not overwork. Fold in the feta, then form the mixture into eight 2-inch meatballs.
• Place the meatballs in a large, greased cast-iron pan. Place the pan 7 to 8 inches from the heating element; broil for 10 to 12 minutes, or until cooked through, turning once halfway through.
• For the tzatziki: Grate the cucumber into a small strainer and squeeze out excess water. Combine the grated cucumber with the yogurt, lemon zest, olive oil, dill and garlic and mix well. Season with salt and pepper. Cover and refrigerate until ready to use.
• To assemble the sliders: Load a meatball onto each bun. Top with tomato slices and some tzatziki. Secure the sliders with bamboo skewers. Serve on a large platter with extra tzatziki on the side.

GREEK LAMB MEATBALLS WITH TZATZIKI

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F.
• In a bowl, combine all of the meatball ingredients, and using your hands, work the meat mixture together until everything is well combined.
• Using your hands, roll meat mixture into balls, approximately golf ball size. I used an ice cream scoop to ensure my meatballs were uniform in size.
• Transfer meatballs to a large baking sheet, continuing to roll meat mixture until all has been formed into balls.
• Transfer baking sheet to the oven for 25 minutes until meatballs are all cooked through.
• Optional: Once the meatballs are cooked, you can remove them from the baking sheet and very quickly fry them in a cast iron skillet to crisp the exterior up a little bit.
• While the meatballs are cooking, prepare the tzatziki sauce. Slice the cucumber lengthwise, remove the inner seeds, and use a cheese grater to grate the cucumber into small pieces.
• Combine the Greek-style yoghurt, shredded cucumber, mint, garlic, olive oil, lemon juice and sea salt in a small bowl and stir to combine.
• Serve the cooked meatballs with tzatziki sauce.
• Enjoy!

GREEK MEATBALLS AND TZATZIKI

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Place a cooling rack over 2 baking sheets for roasting the meatballs and toasting the pita.
• Soak the bread in the milk. Peel the cucumber and grate into a strainer. Salt it and let it drain for 20 minutes.
• Pour the EVOO into a bowl, then add the meat and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Squeeze out the bread and crumble between your fingers as you add it to the meat. Add the mint, onions, oregano, cinnamon, 2 of the garlic cloves, egg and 1/2 of the lemon juice, and mix to combine.
• Using a small ice cream scoop, form the meat mixture into about 24 balls and place on the baking sheet. Roast to golden brown, 15 to 18 minutes. Remove the meatballs from the oven and place the broiler on high. Char the pita under the broiler, 30 seconds to 1 minute on each side.
• Press the cucumber in the strainer to get out the excess water and add to a food processor. Then add the yogurt, dill, remaining 1 clove garlic, zest and remaining juice of the lemon. Season the sauce with cumin and salt and process until smooth.
• Serve the meatballs with the sauce and pitas.

LAMB MEATBALLS WITH TZATZIKI SAUCE

Steps:

• In the bowl with the lamb, add red onion, garlic, egg, bread crumbs, cumin, mayonnaise, fresh mint, and salt. Using your hands, mix thoroughly to distribute the ingredients evenly. With a teaspoon, form the mixture into 24 meatballs. Don't level the meat off or pack the meatballs too tightly.
• Preheat the broiler.
• Lightly spread canola oil on a baking sheet using a paper towel. Place the meatballs two inches apart on the baking sheet, and position the baking sheet 4 inches from the heat source.
• Broil for about 5 minutes, turning once halfway through.
• Arrange the meatballs on a serving platter, and squeeze fresh lemon juice over the top. Sprinkle the cayenne pepper over the meatballs at the last minute. Serve at once with tzatziki.
• Place cucumber, olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, salt, mint, and dill in a bowl and mix well. Add the Greek yogurt and mix well.
• Cover with plastic wrap or place in an airtight container, and chill in the refrigerator for at least 2 to 3 hours before serving.

ROAST GREEK LAMB WITH TZATZIKI, ROASTED VEGETABLES, AND GREEK SALAD

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
• Open the "pocket" on the wide end of the leg of lamb and stuff with some garlic slices, 1 rosemary sprig, 1 bay leaf, and salt. Make 3 long incisions in the top of the leg with your knife. Stuff remaining garlic, rosemary sprigs, bay leaves, and some salt into the incisions. Season well with salt all over.
• Season eggplant, zucchini, and 1 red onion with salt and tumble into a roasting pan. Place the leg of lamb on top.
• Roast in the preheated oven for 20 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 300 degrees F (150 degrees C) and cover pan with aluminum foil. Continue baking until lamb is tender, about 2 hours 30 minutes.
• Spread potatoes on a baking sheet. Drizzle with 2 tablespoons olive oil and season with sea salt. Place in the bottom third of the oven. Bake lamb and potatoes for 30 minutes. Remove lamb and let rest while potatoes finish cooking, about 30 minutes more.
• Combine grated cucumber, mint, oregano, and salt in a bowl. Mix in yogurt until well combined. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
• Combine tomatoes, sliced cucumber, sliced red onion, and black olives in a deep-sided dish. Drizzle 3 tablespoons olive oil and red wine vinegar on top. Place feta on top and cover with dried oregano.
• Carve lamb and serve on a big platter. Scoop out vegetables and juices from the roasting pan and add to the platter. Place roasted potatoes, tzatziki, and Greek salad nearby.

GREEK LAMB MEATBALLS

Steps:

• Combine lamb, Greek Seasoning, and dill.
• Roll meat mixture into 20 meatballs.
• Sprinkle balls with salt and pepper to taste.
• Preheat oven to 350°F.
• Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat.
• Add half of the meatballs, and cook, turning the balls to brown on all sides.
• When meatballs are brown, transfer to a baking sheet coated with cooking spray.
• When all meatballs are browned, place the sheet in the oven and cook for 10- 12 minutes, or until the balls are cooked through.
• Place balls on a cooling rack covered with paper towels to drain excess grease.
• At this point, I cool, freeze, and reheat later. I like to serve with tzatziki sauce and Greek salad, or use as a lunchbox filler. Feel free to sauce however you wish.