Loaded Lamb Meatball Hoagie Food

LAMB MEATBALLS WITH ROASTED RED PEPPER AND FENNEL SAUCE

Steps:

• Add the cumin seeds to a large, dry saute pan. Turn on the heat to medium-low and toast, stirring occasionally, until fragrant, 5 minutes. Transfer to a spice grinder and process until finely ground. Add 2 tablespoons of the extra-virgin olive oil to the same saute pan and turn the heat to medium high. Add half the onion, 1 teaspoon kosher salt and 1/4 teaspoon of the crushed red pepper. Saute until translucent, 5 to 7 minutes. Add half the minced garlic and stir to combine. Cook until fragrant and softened, 3 minutes, then transfer to a heatproof bowl and set aside to cool. Save the pan to cook the meatballs in later.
• Add 2 tablespoons of the olive oil to a large, high-sided saute pan and heat over medium-high heat. Add the remaining diced onion, 1 teaspoon kosher salt and the remaining 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper. Saute until translucent, 5 minutes. Add the fennel, bell pepper, the remaining minced garlic, the tomatoes and 1 cup water. Stir to combine. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and cook until the vegetables are tender and the sauce has thickened, 10 to 15 minutes. Add the lemon zest and lemon juice and season with kosher salt to taste. Blend the sauce with an immersion blender until slightly smooth but there is still some texture.
• To a large bowl, add the ground lamb, toasted ground cumin, fennel pollen, egg, breadcrumbs, parmesan, fennel fronds, the sauteed onion and garlic and 1/4 cup water and sprinkle with kosher salt. Mix with your hands to thoroughly combine.
• Turn the saute pan back on to medium-high heat and add the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil. Take a small amount of the meatball mixture and cook a tester patty to check for seasoning and adjust the remaining mixture with more salt if necessary.
• Using a 1-ounce cookie scoop, portion the meatballs and roll into balls. Add to the saute pan and cook, turning occasionally until brown on all sides, about 5 minutes. Transfer the seared meatballs into the red pepper and fennel sauce and simmer until heated through, 10 minutes.
• Transfer the meatballs to a serving dish and garnish with the reserved fennel fronds and goat cheese.

LAMB MEATBALLS WITH TOMATO SAUCE, SHEEP'S MILK CHEESE AND CUCUMBERS: ALBONDIGAS DE CORDERO

Steps:

• For the sauce: In a large pot, over medium heat, sweat onion, then add garlic and tomato. Cook for 5 minutes. Add sugar, vinegar and remaining ingredients and cook down for 45 minutes. Remove the bay leaf and run through a food mill. Set aside.
• Meatballs: Dice the meat and mix with salt. Grind twice with 1/4-inch dice. Add all other ingredients except egg and paddle in standing mixer for 1 minute. Add the egg and mix to combine.
• Form into 1-inch round balls, dust with all-purpose flour. Add a coating of oil to a large skillet, and shallow-fry the meatballs until golden. Cover with tomato sauce and simmer for 10 minutes over low heat. Sprinkle with ricotta and chopped cucumber and serve.

LAMB MEATBALL SANDWICHES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
• Mix meatball ingredients into a bowl.
• Form 2-inch diameter sized meatballs with your fingers (this recipe yields 12-15 golf ball-sized meatballs) Line up the meatballs on a baking sheet, and pop in the oven.
• Bake for 30 minutes or until cooked through.
• While meatballs are baking, mix all of the ingredients for your yogurt sauce together in a small bowl. Place in refrigerator.
• To make sandwiches, toast pita, and slice pita in half. Slather the inside of each pita with the yogurt sauce. Tuck arugula into each pita.
• Slice meatballs in half and tuck halves into pitas and enjoy.

SPICED LAMB MEATBALLS WITH YOGURT AND HERBS

Steps:

• In a large bowl, use your hands to combine lamb, breadcrumbs, salt, pepper, onion, cumin, coriander, cinnamon and cayenne. Beat 2 of the eggs and add to meat, mixing until incorporated. Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes to 24 hours to allow the seasonings to permeate the meat.
• Using wet hands, break off walnut-sized pieces of lamb mixture, roll into spheres and set aside on a baking sheet. You should have about 30 1-ounce meatballs.
• Heat oven to 225 degrees. In a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons oil over medium-high heat. When shimmering, add meatballs in one layer and brown for 2 to 3 minutes. Turn and cook for 4 to 5 minutes more. (Work in batches, if necessary, to avoid crowding the pan.) Transfer to a paper towel-lined baking sheet to blot any extra oil, then pile meatballs on a heatproof serving platter and keep warm in the oven.
• Pour off any excess oil from skillet and turn heat to high. Add broth and bring to a simmer. In a bowl, whisk together yogurt; 1/2 teaspoon salt; remaining egg, beaten; and cornstarch. Pour yogurt mixture in a thin stream into the hot broth, whisking constantly. Turn heat down slightly and continue whisking until yogurt is heated through and slightly thickened, about 1 minute. Do not let mixture boil.
• Pour hot yogurt sauce over meatballs. Sprinkle crumbled feta, sumac and crushed red pepper on top. Finish with pinches of turmeric, if using, and sprinkle with mint, dill and cilantro. Serve immediately with rice, orzo, pita bread or potatoes.