quinoa meatballs with yogurt pomegranate sauce
Recipe created for the South American Challenge #2 - Quinoa, Grain of the Gods, for our 1st annual Culinary Quest. http://4foodfriendsandfun.yuku.com/topic/597/South-America-Challenge-2-Quinoa-Grain-of-the-Gods#.U_osMfmwLrY
prep time
2 Hr
cook time
30 Min
method
Pan Fry
yield
8-10 serving(s)
Ingredients
- YOGURT POMEGRANATE SAUCE
- 16 ounces plain yogurt
- 1 - cucumber, seeds scraped out and finely chopped
- 1 pinch salt
- 1 1/2 cups pomegranate juice
- 2 tablespoons pomegranate seeds, optional for garnish
- - mint leaves, optional for garnish
- MEATBALLS
- 1/2 cup quinoa, washed
- 1 cup water
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 1/3 cup chopped parsley
- 3/4 teaspoon ground allspice
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- - oil for browning meatballs
How To Make quinoa meatballs with yogurt pomegranate sauce
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Step 1Place the yogurt in a clean tea towel, gather up the edges, suspend over a bowl, and allow liquid to drain for about 2 hours in the refrigerator.
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Step 2Use another clean tea towel and place the chopped cucumber in it. Squeeze all the liquid out that you can and discard.
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Step 3Bring quinoa and water to a boil in a small saucepan. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer until liquid is absorbed. Stir occasionally to be sure quinoa does not stick to the bottom and burn. Let cool 10 minutes.
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Step 4In a food processor, pulse onions and parsley so that they are finely chopped. Add in the remainder of the meatball ingredients, except the oil. Add in the cooked quinoa and gently pulse just to combine. Do not overprocess.
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Step 5Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Form about 42 meatballs out of a level tablespoon. Heat oil in a skillet, over medium heat, and brown meatballs on all sides in batches. If the oil starts to smoke, reduce heat a bit.
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Step 6Transfer meatballs to a sheet pan and roast to an internal temperature of 160 degrees F. This will take about 10 to 15 minutes.
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Step 7In a small saucepan, boil pomegranate juice until it reduces to about 3 tablespoons of syrup, about 10 minutes. Cover and keep warm.
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Step 8In a bowl, combine the drained yogurt, squeezed cucumber, and salt. Drizzle with the pomegranate reduction and lightly swirl to make pretty. Sprinkle with pomegranate seeds, if using, or add mint leaves. Serve with meatballs.
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Discover More
Tag:
#Healthy
Category:
Meat Appetizers
Ingredient:
Beef
Diet:
Diabetic
Method:
Pan Fry
Culture:
Middle Eastern
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