Hairy Bikers Mediterranean Meatballs Recipe

This Hairy Bikers Mediterranean Meatballs Recipe is a flavorful and mildly spiced dish, which uses lean beef or lamb mince and fragrant herbs. It’s a classic, foolproof recipe, ready in about 35 minutes.

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Hairy Bikers Mediterranean Meatballs Recipe Ingredients

For the Meatballs:

• 500g lean beef or lamb mince
• 1 onion, very finely chopped
• 3 garlic cloves, crushed
• 1 tsp ground ginger
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1/2 tsp chili powder
• 1 tsp paprika
• Small handful of fresh coriander leaves, finely chopped
• Small handful of fresh flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped
• 1 free-range egg yolk
• Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

For the Stew:

• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 2 tbsp tomato purée
• 1 x 400g can chopped tomatoes, drained
• 2 tsp clear honey
• 200g frozen peas
• 4 free-range eggs
• Chopped fresh parsley, for garnish (optional)

How To Make Hairy Bikers Mediterranean Meatballs Recipe

1. Mix the meatballs: Preheat oven to 200°C (400°F). In a large bowl, combine all meatball ingredients and mix well. Roll mixture into walnut-sized balls.
2. Brown the meatballs: Heat olive oil in a tagine or casserole dish. Fry meatballs in batches until browned on all sides. Remove and set aside.
3. Start the stew: In the same pan, soften chopped onion. Stir in tomato purée, drained chopped tomatoes, and honey.
4. Simmer the sauce: Cover and simmer gently for 10 minutes to let flavors develop.
5. Add peas and eggs: Stir in frozen peas. Crack eggs over the stew. Cover and bake in oven for 10 minutes, or until eggs are cooked to preference.
6. Garnish and serve: Sprinkle with fresh parsley. Serve hot with couscous.

Recipe Tips

• Can I make this in advance? Yes, cook the meatballs and sauce ahead, then add peas and eggs just before serving.
• How to keep meatballs from falling apart? Make sure the mixture is well combined and not too wet; chilling them before cooking also helps.
• Can I use turkey or chicken mince? Yes, but reduce cooking time slightly and watch for dryness.
• What if I don’t like eggs on top? Just skip the eggs and serve the stew plain.
• Best way to serve this? With fluffy couscous or warm flatbreads.

What To Serve With Mediterranean Meatballs

This dish goes well with:

• Couscous
• Warm pita or flatbreads
• Grilled vegetables
• Greek salad
• Tzatziki or yogurt sauce

How To Store Mediterranean Meatballs

Refrigerate: Keep leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat gently.

Freeze: Freeze meatballs and sauce (without eggs) for up to 2 months. Add fresh eggs when reheating.

Mediterranean Meatballs Nutrition Facts

• Calories: 550 kcal
• Total Fat: 35g
• Saturated Fat: 12g
• Cholesterol: 180mg
• Sodium: 600mg
• Carbohydrates: 25g
• Dietary Fiber: 5g
• Sugars: 10g
• Protein: 40g

Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.

FAQs

Can I use lamb instead of beef?
Yes, lamb adds great richness and complements the spices well.

Can I make this dish vegetarian?
Swap the meatballs for falafel or vegetarian koftas and skip the eggs.

What’s the best way to drain canned tomatoes?
Pour them into a strainer and press gently with a spoon to remove excess liquid.

How to make it spicier?
Add extra chili powder or a pinch of cayenne.

Can I cook this on the stovetop only?
Yes, simmer the stew covered on low heat instead of baking it.

Try More Recipes:

• Hairy Bikers Nut Roast Recipe
• Hairy Bikers Mince And Dumplings Recipe
• Hairy Bikers Meatballs In Tomato Sauce Recipe