Halal Meatballs with tahini dressing
Here is a delicious meal that can be prepared in a short amount of time and (although rich) is very healthy. The classic Lebanese Kafta is shaped into meatballs, quickly pan-fried and smothered in a tahini sauce (aka tarator in Lebanon) and served with a traditional rice pilaf made with toasted vermicelli and long-grain rice.
I recently discovered a fabulous new Knorr Halal Beef Flavored Seasoning and Knorr Halal Chicken Flavored Seasoning. The seasoning contains a medley of spices giving the food subtle and umami flavor in one swoop. I used it for both the meatballs and the rice pilaf with great results. KNORR also makes recipe ideas (including mine) available online through their website.
Halal Meatballs with tahini dressing
Joumana Accad Mediterranean, Middle Eastern November 12, 2021 Main Dish, Meats, traditional dish, main dish, meatballs, tahini dressing, vermicelli rice, almonds, halal, pine nuts, ricepilaf,4 servings
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef or lamb or bison, extra lean
- 1 onion, chopped fine or grated
- 1 1/2 tsp Knorr Halal Beef Flavored Seasoning
- 1/4 cup chopped parsley
- 2 Tbsp oil or ghee
- 1/2 cup pine nuts and slivered almonds (or other nuts)
- 3/4 cup tahini
- 1/2 cup lemon juice
- 1/2 cup full-fat yogurt or Greek yogurt
- 2 garlic cloves, chopped and mashed in a mortar with a dash of Knorr Halal Chicken Flavored Seasoning
- Water, as needed
Rice Pilaf
- 1 1/2 cup long-grain rice
- 3/4 cup vermicelli pasta, chopped into 1-inch pieces
- 1/4 cup oil or ghee
- 1 1/2 tsp Knorr Chicken Flavored Seasoning
- 3 cups water
Instructions
1.Combine the meat with the chopped onion, parsley and Knorr Halal Beef Flavored Seasoning. Shape the meat mixture into balls. Grease a skillet and spread the meatballs evenly throughout. Pan-fry over medium heat until browned.
2. Prepare the tahini sauce: In a bowl, place the tahini, add the garlic, yogurt; start whisking then add the lemon juice; gradually add water 1/4 cup at a time, until the mixture becomes smooth and pourable. Pour the sauce over the meatballs.
3. Preheat the oven to 325F. Bake the meatballs for about 10 minutes. Garnish with the fried nuts and serve with rice pilaf.
To make the rice pilaf
1. Melt the ghee or heat the oil in a saucepan; add the vermicelli and pan- fry them over medium heat until they turn caramel colored. Add the rice and pan-fry for a few seconds until the rice gets coated in grease.
2. Sprinkle the Knorr Halal Chicken Flavored Seasoning then add the water. Cover the saucepan, lower the heat and cook the rice pilaf for about 20 minutes until small holes appear on the surface of the pilaf and the rice is cooked. Take off the heat and serve.
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