A delicious recipe for cumin-chicken meatballs paired with a vibrant, spicy herb sauce.
White Sandwich Bread, torn into pieces
slices
tablespoons
Cumin Seeds, toasted
teaspoons
Red Chile Flakes
teaspoons
teaspoons
0 lb
Large egg, lightly beaten
each
Garlic Clove, grated or minced
each
Lemon Zest, finely grated
0 zest
teaspoons
teaspoons
teaspoons
for drizzling
Jalapenos, seeded
each
cups
Fresh Cilantro Or Basil Leaves
cups
teaspoons
1. Soak the Bread
Tear one slice of white sandwich bread into small pieces and combine it with two tablespoons of milk in a large bowl. Let it sit to absorb the milk while you prepare the spices.
2. Toast the Spices
In a small skillet over medium heat, toast ¾ teaspoon of cumin seeds until they are fragrant and lightly darkened, about two minutes. Add ¼ teaspoon of red chile flakes and ¼ teaspoon of ground cumin, stirring for another 30 seconds.
3. Prepare Meatball Mixture
In the large bowl with the soaked bread, add the ground chicken, lightly beaten egg, grated garlic, lemon zest, Worcestershire sauce, kosher salt, black pepper, and the toasted spices. Mix until fully incorporated.
4. Broil the Meatballs
Shape the mixture into 1-inch balls and arrange on a baking sheet. Drizzle with extra-virgin olive oil. Broil for 4 to 7 minutes, until evenly browned and cooked through.
5. Make the Sauce
In a blender, combine seeded jalapeños, parsley leaves, cilantro or basil leaves, grated garlic, kosher salt, olive oil, and lemon juice. Blend until smooth, and adjust salt and lemon juice to taste.
Aim for a blend that includes both dark and light meat for juiciness and flavor.
Use vibrant, fresh cilantro and mint for the best sauce flavor.
Lightly toast cumin seeds before grinding to intensify the flavor and aroma.
Develop a crispy exterior by searing the meatballs before oven finishing.
Grate onions and garlic for the meatballs to ensure even distribution and prevent uneven texture.
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