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Greek Lamb Meatballs with Avocado Feta Sauce
Chef Emily Ellyn’s Greek Lamb Meatballs with Avocado Feta Dipping Sauce make a simple and healthy small-bites meal loaded with big flavor. Serve as appetizers, a hearty brunch offering, or enjoy as a satisfying weeknight dinner.
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 15-20 minutes
Yield: 12 meatballs
Serves: 4
Ingredients
Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil, for cooking
Lamb Meatballs:
- 16 ounces ground lamb
- 8 ounces ground lean beef mince
- 1 small red onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- ¼ cup Frigo® Feta Cheese Crumbles
- 3 tablespoons Frigo® Whole Milk Ricotta Cheese
- 1 cup soft breadcrumbs, torn into small pieces
- 1 tablespoon minced fresh oregano
- ¼ tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
- Zest of 1 lemon
- 2 teaspoons cumin
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Avocado Feta Dipping Sauce:
- 1 (8-ounce) package of favorite fresh guacamole or substitute homemade
- ½ cup Frigo® Whole Milk Ricotta Cheese
- ¼ cup Frigo® Feta Cheese Crumbles
- ¼ cup chopped fresh mint
- ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- Frigo® Feta Cheese Crumbles, garnish
- 3 tablespoons pine nuts, toasted, garnish
Directions
Preheat the oven to 350°F.
In a large mixing bowl, coat your hands with olive oil and mix all of the lamb meatballs together. Work all of the ingredients together until well incorporated and then roll the meat into approximately 3-tablespoon size balls. (This mixture makes about 12 meatballs that are slightly larger than golf balls.)
In a large oven-proof sauté pan, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil on medium heat until oil is sizzling. Carefully add the meatballs to the hot oil and allow to brown on all sides, about 2 minutes per side. When all sides are browned, transfer pan to the middle rack of the oven and bake for 5 minutes or until meatballs are cooked through.
Meanwhile, make the Avocado Feta Dipping Sauce. Combine all ingredients in a food processor or blender and blend until smooth and creamy. Add a tablespoon or two of water, as needed, to thin the sauce to desired thickness. Taste and adjust salt and pepper to preference.
To serve, spoon Avocado Feta Dipping Sauce into a bowl and garnish with Frigo® Feta Cheese Crumbles and toasted pine nuts. As an appetizer, place meatballs alongside a dipping bowl. To make a meal, pile plates with couscous, meatballs, Frigo® Feta Cheese Crumbles, cucumber, tomatoes, and greens. Enjoy!
