Lebanese-Style Spiced Meatballs - cooking recipe

Ingredients

1 lb grass fed ground beef (or lamb)
2 -3 garlic cloves, peeled and finely minced
1 teaspoon salt (reduced from 2 teaspoons)
1/2 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
1/2 cup fresh parsley, minced
1/3 cup dried apricot, cut up into very small pieces
1/3 cup raisins
1/3 cup pine nuts, toasted
1/4 cup plain yogurt
Garnish
plain yogurt or tahini

Preparation

Combine meatballs mixture in a large mixing bowl and stir *just* until combined.
Cover and refrigerate until mixture is firm. (I do this first thing in the morning.).
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Form into 1 1/2\" balls and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
Bake about 20 minutes or until browned and no longer pink in the center.
If desired, serve with plain yogurt that has been drained or tahini.
Delicious served over quinoa accompanied by a fresh salad with seasonal ingredients or steamed veggies in the cooler months.
Yield: 18-22 meatballs.