Braised Lamb Meatballs In Tomato Sauce With Fresh Ricotta Food

LAMB-RICOTTA MEATBALLS AND SAUCE

Steps:

• Line a large rimmed baking sheet or broiler rack with foil and spray with nonstick spray. Preheat broiler.
• In a large bowl, beat eggs. Stir in ricotta, bread crumbs, parsley, chopped oregano, 1/2 tsp salt, red pepper flakes, and black pepper. Add lamb and stir until mixed well but not overmixed. With damp hands, form 30 meatballs.
• Arrange meatballs on prepared baking sheet. Broil 5 inches from heat, turning, until meatballs are firm, about 5 minutes. Transfer to a 5- or 6-qt slow cooker.
• Spray a large nonstick skillet with nonstick spray and set over medium heat. Add onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook, stirring constantly, until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add tomatoes and remaining 1/2 tsp salt and bring to a boil. Transfer tomato mixture to slow cooker. Cover and cook until meatballs are tender, 2 to 3 hours on High or 4 to 5 hours on Low. Serve sprinkled with oregano leaves.
• Per serving: 3 meatballs and about 1/4 cup sauce

LAMB MEATBALLS WITH SPICED TOMATO SAUCE

Steps:

• Preheat broiler. In a large bowl, mix together the onion, cream, egg yolks, cinnamon, cumin, red pepper and cayenne. Put the lamb in the bowl, and season it aggressively with salt and pepper. Add the bread crumbs and parsley, and combine the mixture well. Shape the meat into balls that are a little larger than golf balls.
• Grease a baking pan with olive oil, and put the meatballs onto it, spaced evenly. Place beneath the broiler, and cook, turning once or twice, until the meatballs are well browned, approximately 5 to 7 minutes, then set meatballs aside. Turn oven to 400.
• Meanwhile, make the sauce. Pass the tomatoes through a food mill, or whizz them quickly in a food processor. Heat a saucepan over medium-high heat for a minute, then add olive oil, rosemary and red pepper and shake to combine. Cook for another minute, then add onion, thyme, cumin, cinnamon, cayenne and bay leaf and sauté until the onions are translucent, approximately 5 to 7 minutes. Add tomatoes, sugar, orange juice and peel, along with salt and pepper.
• Cook for 8 to 10 minutes over medium-low heat, until reduced by a third. Adjust seasoning.
• Pour the tomato sauce into a large baking dish that you can put on the table. Transfer the meatballs to the sauce, putting them about ½ inch from each other. Bake for 15 or 20 minutes, until the sauce is bubbling and the meatballs are cooked through.
• Top with crumbled feta and scattered mint.

BRAISED LAMB WITH TOMATO AND ALMONDS

Steps:

• Cut 2 pounds lamb shoulder into 2-inch cubes. Sprinkle with salt and pepper, and brown in a large skillet over medium-high heat; remove.
• To the skillet, add onion, garlic, carrots, olives and cloves; cook until fragrant. Add wine, tomatoes with their juice and browned lamb. When the liquid boils, lower heat to a simmer, cover and cook until tender, 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 hours. Garnish: Chopped toasted almonds and cilantro.

LAMB MEATBALLS WITH ROSEMARY TOMATO SAUCE

Steps:

• Heat 1 tsp oil in a large frying pan. Add the meatballs and cook, turning often, until browned. Remove from the pan.
• Tip the onions into the pan with the remaining oil and a pinch of salt and cook until very soft, 10-15 mins. Add the garlic and rosemary and cook for 2 mins more.
• Add the tomatoes and return meatballs to the pan. Simmer for 10 mins until the sauce has thickened and the meatballs are cooked through. Season and serve with the pasta, sprinkle with rosemary.