Appetizers, Dips & Side Dishes

Spiced-Lamb Meatballs with Labneh and Cucumbers

Featuring Oikos Plain Greek Yogurt

Spiced-Lamb Meatballs with Labneh and Cucumbers

Appetizers, Dips & Side Dishes

Spiced-Lamb Meatballs with Labneh and Cucumbers

Featuring Oikos Plain Greek Yogurt

PREP TIME: 1.5 hours (+ 2 days for draining)
COOK TIME: 15 minutes
SERVINGS: N/A
INGREDIENTS
  • Labneh, as needed (recipe follows)
  • Chile sauce, as needed (recipe follows)
  • Meatballs, as needed (recipe follows)
  • Cucumbers, as needed (recipe follows)
  • Mint, minced, to garnish
  • Crushed Red Pepper Flakes, to garnish
  • Labneh
    • 2 qts. Greek Yogurt
    • 5 Tbs. Extra Virgin Olive Oil
    • 1 Tbs. Salt
    • 1 each Lemon, zested and juiced
    • 1 Tbs. Thyme, minced (optional)
    • 4 Tbs. Mint, minced (optional)
    • Olive Oil, as needed (optional)
    • Kosher Salt, to taste
    • Freshly Ground Black Pepper, to taste
  • Chile Sauce
    • 3 each Pasilla Chiles, seeded and chopped
    • 1½ tsp. Crushed Red Pepper Flakes
    • 1 Tbs. Cumin Seeds
    • ¼ cup Sherry Vinegar or Red Wine Vinegar
    • 1 Tbsp. Sweet Smoked Paprika
    • 1 each Garlic Clove, minced
    • ½ cup Olive Oil
    • Kosher Salt, to taste
  • Meatballs
    • ¼ each Onion, chopped
    • 8 each Garlic Cloves, 7 chopped, 1 finely grated
    • 1 Tbs. Parsley, chopped
    • 1 tsp. Oregano, chopped
    • 1 tsp. Sage, chopped
    • ¾ tsp. Fennel Seeds
    • ¾ tsp. Ground Coriander
    • ¾ tsp. Ground Cumin
    • 1 Tbs. Kosher Salt
    • 1¼ lb. Ground Lamb
    • 1 Tbs. Rice Flour or All-Purpose Flour
    • 3 Tbs. Olive Oil, divided
  • Cucumbers
    • ½ each English Cucumber, thinly sliced
    • ½ tsp. Lemon Zest, finely grated
    • 2 Tbs. Lemon juice
    • 1 ½ Tbs. Sherry Vinegar or Red Wine Vinegar
    • 2 Tbs. Olive Oil
    • Kosher Salt, to taste
    • Freshly Ground Black Pepper, to taste
DIRECTIONS
    To prepare the Labneh:
  • Mix all ingredients and tie into cheesecloth bag. Hang over bowl in refrigerator for 2 days. Over the course of 2 days, very gently squeeze to help drain water.
  • Prior to serving, remove from cheesecloth and whisk. Add olive oil if thinner consistency is desired. Season with salt and pepper. Hold for service.
  • To prepare the Chile Sauce:
  • Toast chiles, red pepper flakes, and cumin seeds in a dry small skillet over medium heat, tossing occasionally, until fragrant and cumin seeds are golden, about 3 minutes. Let cool. Working in batches, finely grind in spice mill, then transfer to a blender.
  • Add vinegar, paprika, and garlic to blender and blend until smooth. With motor running, gradually stream in oil and blend until combined. Transfer to a large bowl; season with salt. Hold for service.
  • To prepare the Meatballs:
  • Pulse onion, chopped garlic, parsley, oregano, sage, fennel seeds, coriander, cumin and salt in a food processor, scraping down sides as needed, until finely chopped. Add egg, lamb, and flour and pulse until evenly combined. Form lamb mixture into 1-in. balls.
  • Heat 2 Tbsp. oil in a large skillet, preferably cast iron, over medium-high. Working in 2 batches and adding another 1 Tbs. oil to skillet if needed, cook meatballs, turning occasionally, until browned on all sides and cooked through, 5-8 minutes. Transfer meatballs to paper towels to drain.
  • Transfer all meatballs to bowl with chile sauce and toss to coat.
  • To prepare the Cucumbers:
  • Toss cucumber in a medium bowl with lemon zest and juice, vinegar, olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
  • To serve:
  • Spoon labneh onto shallow plate, top with 3-4 meatballs and arrange dressed cucumbers. Garnish with mint and sprinkle of chili flakes.

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