Lamb Meatballs with Sweet and Sour Harissa Sauce

These richly spiced lamb meatballs are quick and easy to make but are packed full of flavour thanks to the fruity, sweet, and tart pomegranate molasses and garlicky and spicy harissa. They have Mediterranean vibes and with a richly flavoured and aromatic harissa sauce. Harissa is essentially a Tunisian chilli pepper paste, and there are lots of variations. You can make your own or use ready-made. Pomegranate molasses can be found in Turkish stores or online.

Lamb Meatballs with Sweet and Sour Harissa Sauce

adapted from Olivemagazine

Lamb Meatballs	Sweet and Sour Harissa Sauce
500 g Lamb mince 1/2 tsp Sea salt 1 Garlic clove, finely minced 1 tsp Paprika powder 1 tsp Cumin powder 1 tsp Coriander powder 1/2 tsp Cinnamon powder Cayenne pepper to taste	1 jar / 350 g Marinara sauce 80 g Dried cranberries or raisins 1 tbsp Honey 1 tbsp Harissa paste 1 tbsp Pomegranate molasse 100 ml Chicken broth or water A handful Parsley or cilantro, chopped (optional)

Preheat the oven to 200C/400F. In a medium bowl, use your hands to mix the meat and the spices. Divide the mixture into 18-20 equal portions and shape them into meatballs.
Put the meatballs in a single layer into a roasting tin. Drizzle over 1 tbsp olive oil and roast in the oven for 15 minutes until golden brown.
Mix the marinara sauce, dried carnberries or raisins, honey, harissa and pomegranate molasses, and broth. Remove the meatballs from the oven, then stir the sauce into the meatballs until well combined. Bake for another 10-12 minutes until the meatballs are coated in the sauce and it’s reduced and bubbling.
Transfer the saucy meatballs to a serving dish, scatter with a little roughly chopped cilantro or parsley, if using, and serve.

29 comments:

David M. Gascoigne, 5/12/23 14:20: Red meat is no longer part of our diet, so I have to pass on this one. To kill a lamb mere days old seems particularly lurid to me.
Tom 5/12/23 14:35: ...I have never had lamb.
Daniela 5/12/23 14:53: Un piatto saporito e gustoso. Bravissima!
foodtravelandwine 5/12/23 15:28: Wow!...I imagine it so velvety and spicy at the same time!!....With a good German rye bread it must be so yummy!!........Abrazotes, Marcela
eileeninmd 5/12/23 16:11: Hello,
The meatballs looks delicious! Thanks for sharing! Take care, enjoy your day!
Whats Cookin Italian Style Cuisine 5/12/23 17:11: I love lamb, this sauce sounds like it will compliment it perfectly in flavors!
David 5/12/23 17:20: Hi Angie, We love lamb but don't eat it often. I also don't like to mix meat with sweet with the exception of spicy BBQ sauce with pork...but I'd give this a try. Take Care, Big Daddy Dave
Christine 5/12/23 18:16: Looks so good!
Bill 5/12/23 18:29: Not a fan of lamb.
Granny Sue 5/12/23 18:58: Lamb is not available in our area, but I sure would like to try it. Maybe we need to raise our own?
Brian's Home Blog 5/12/23 19:05: WOW, those look wonderful and I could eat a bunch of those I'm sure!
Pam 5/12/23 20:05: I think my whole family would love these meatballs!
roentare 5/12/23 20:33: It is certainly looking aromatic!
Lola Martínez 5/12/23 21:22: Diría que las albóndigas de cordero son las que más me gustan, aunque son las que menos preparo porque solo nos gustan a la mitad de la familia. Y esa salsa harissa agridulce me la comería con mucho gusto, es una delicia.
DEZMOND 5/12/23 22:59: Grone und rot is always a lovely colour combo
Anonymous 5/12/23 23:22: These look absolutely wonderful, and thank you for the recipe for the harissa as well. It is definitely something I will have to make for myself, as I cannot eat the garlic that’s in all store-bought versions. I bet this keeps you nice and warm on a cold winter night! Thanks, David (C & L)
Cooking Julia 5/12/23 23:55: This is such a nice plate!
My name is Erika. 6/12/23 00:51: You come up with some nice combinations. This one is new to me, but it sounds yummy.
Citu 6/12/23 02:53: Se ve rico. Gracias por la receta. Te mando un beso.
Anonymous 6/12/23 03:56: Judee from GF A-Z Blog- Such amazing flavors especially if you like lamb. The spices are wonderful.
Margaret D 6/12/23 05:51: That looks nice and tasty. We have lamb down here though I believe they are not that young :)
Neil 6/12/23 06:59: These lamb meatballs are a flavour explosion! These richly spiced meatballs promise a quick, easy, and exceptionally delicious journey to Mediterranean delight. What a lovely choice for a delicious weeknight meal.
Federica Simoni 6/12/23 09:54: che buone!!!!
Pedro 6/12/23 10:12: Delicious meatballs! I love them!
Greetings
Ben | Havocinthekitchen 7/12/23 02:36: These meatballs look and sound terrific. And the flavours sounds great to me (as I'm a huge fan of sweet and savoury combos!)
Rainbow Evening 7/12/23 07:21: love meatballs, but never with lamb.... look delicious... yummy
Raymund 7/12/23 21:54: Love a good meatball like this
thepaintedapron.com 8/12/23 13:57: This sounds wonderful Angie, I love lamb~
Anonymous 9/12/23 15:08: I can't wait to try your lamb meatballs. I make a dish very similar but use a pomegranate molasse glaze. Your sauce sounds delicious. Karen (Back Road Journal)