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Stuffed Lamb Meatballs with Goat Cheese

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Senegal, Morocco and Spain have a long history of trading recipes. Here is a Moroccan kefta inspired stuffed lamb meatballs recipe, spiced and filled with goat cheese. It’s a perfect snack food for grilling and great for parties. The mint-yogurt sauce for dipping was inspired by the Lebanese community that’s been living in Senegal for several generations.

Although the origin of meatballs is unknown, recipes go back to the 4th and 5th century. They most likely originated from Kefta and were cited in early Arabic cookbooks featuring lamb rolled into orange sized balls. From the Arabic world they most likely spread to Morocco, Spain, Italy and into Africa. Chef Thiam’s meatballs made with our grass-fed lamb or goat and stuffed with goat cheese are sure to wow your guests!

This recipe is used with permission from Chef Pierre Thiam. Find more of his recipes in his book Senegal: Modern Senegalese Recipes from the Source to the Bowl and on his website.

Chef Pierre Thiam

Looking to buy lamb or goat online? Shepherd Song Farm: Grass to table. We raise lambs & goats traditionally, humanely and sustainably. 100% Grass Fed, Pasture Raised, Never Confined, no Hormones, Grains or Animal Byproducts. Born, raised and processed in the U.S.A. Good for you and good for the environment.

How to Make Stuffed Lamb Meatballs

They’re easy to make. First mix the ground lamb with seasonings and egg. Next the meatballs are made into patties and a piece of cheese is put in the center. Wrap the meat around the cheese, brown, and serve with Chef’s yogurt sauce.

Mixing the meatballs
Stuffing the meatballs
Serve with yogurt sauce

More Lamb Meatball Recipes

Braised Spicy Lamb Meatballs 

Lamb Meatballs Soup

Italian Lamb Meatballs

Print

Stuffed Lamb Meatballs with Goat Cheese

Delicious lamb or goat meatballs stuffed with goat cheese, served with a yogurt dipping sauce.
Course Appetizer, Snack
Cuisine African
Keyword Goat, Lamb, Meatball
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings 12 servings
Calories 230kcal
Cost 10

Equipment

  • 2 mixing bowls
  • 1 Baking sheet or cast iron skillet

Ingredients

Meat (Choose One)

Seasonings

  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh mint
  • 1 yellow onion finely chopped
  • 2 teaspoons ground cumin
  • 2 teaspoons cayenne pepper
  • 2 teaspoons smoked Spanish paprika
  • 2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 large eggs lightly beaten
  • 2 tablespoons fine sea salt
  • 1 cup fresh goat cheese

Mint-Yogurt Sauce

  • 1 cup full fat Greek yogurt
  • 1 cup chopped fresh mint
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon lemon juice
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • sea salt or kosher salt to taste
  • black pepper, ground from a mill to taste

Instructions

Yogurt Sauce

  • Combine the yogurt, mint, garlic, lemon juice and oil in a bowl. Season with salt and pepper to taste and reserve.

Meatballs

  • Combine the ground lamb, parsley, cilantro, mint, onion, cumin, cayenne, paprika, black pepper, eggs, and salt in a large bowl and mix well.
  • Tightly cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least an hour.
  • Using your hands make a round meatball the size of a golf ball then slightly flatten it into a disk.
  • Put a pinch of goat cheese in the center and carefully wrap the meat around it gently reshaping it into a ball.
  • Repeat until all the meatballs are filled with goat cheese.
  • Refrigerate again for an hour to firm up until ready to cook.
  • Preheat the grill or broiler to hot.
  • Grill the meatballs or place them on a baking sheet to broil. You may also pan-fry them in a few tablespoons of oil.
  • Cook, turning a few times, until all sides are browned--7 to 8 minutes.
  • Serve immediately with the yogurt sauce for dipping.
  • Serve on a platter with baguette chunks, extra mustard and kani sauce on the side.

Notes

Goat is an excellent substitute for the lamb.

Nutrition

Serving: 2meatballs | Calories: 230kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 13g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 8g | Cholesterol: 55mg | Sodium: 1208mg | Potassium: 195mg | Fiber: 0.3g | Sugar: 0.4g | Vitamin A: 143IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 19mg | Iron: 1mg

 

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Published by
Shepherd
6 years ago

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