Sephardic Moroccan Sweet Meatballs Recipes

SEPHARDIC MOROCCAN SWEET MEATBALLS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
• Place meat in a mixing bowl and add onion, parsley, egg, and matzo meal. Blend and add the tomato juice, salt and pepper. Knead until smooth.
• Add 1 tablespoon of the oil and knead again.
• Shape into small balls.
• Cook the onion in the remaining oil until tender and brown. Add water and bring to a boil. Add salt to taste. Drop in the meatballs, one at a time, into simmering liquid and simmer until firm.
• Pour the meat balls and broth into a baking dish and add drained raisins and prunes. Add almonds and pumpkin.
• Sprinkle with brown sugar and cinnamon and bake until golden brown and nearly all the liquid disappears.
• Serve with couscous.

MOROCCAN-SPICED CHICKEN MEATBALLS

Steps:

• First, make the yogurt sauce: Combine 1 cup of the yogurt, 1 teaspoon of the garlic, the lemon juice, 1/4 teaspoon salt and black pepper to taste in a small bowl. Mix well, and chill until ready to use.
• Make the meatballs: In a large bowl, combine the remaining 1/3 cup yogurt, remaining 1 tablespoon garlic, chicken, panko, egg, parsley, olive oil, sugar, paprika, cumin, ginger, cinnamon, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt and a few generous grinds of black pepper. Mix gently but thoroughly, until incorporated. Using an ice cream scoop or two spoons, form meatballs about 1 1/2-inches in diameter, then place them on a plate or sheet pan until ready to use.
• In a large skillet, heat 1/8-inch olive oil over medium-high heat. When the oil is hot, fry the meatballs in batches, flipping occasionally, until browned all over and cooked through, 4 to 5 minutes. (If the meatballs begin browning too quickly or the oil begins smoking, lower the heat.) Transfer the cooked meatballs to a paper towel-lined plate.
• To serve, spread the yogurt sauce in an even layer on a flat platter. Arrange the meatballs on top, and top with a sprinkle of chopped parsley and the pine nuts, if using. Serve hot.