chef Sam Jackson Aussie Lamb & Feta Meatballs in Rich Tomato Sauce
- Prep time 35Min
- Cook time 40Min
- Technique Pan Fry / Saute, Bake
- Meat Lamb
- Cut Ground
- Serves 4
These lamb and feta meatballs will please a crowd of any size.
Ingredients
Aussie Meatballs
- 2 lb Aussie ground lamb
- 3 large eggs
- 1½ cups dried breadcrumbs
- ¾ cup feta cheese, crumbled
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- 2 tbsp fresh mint, chopped
- Zest of 1 lemon
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Olive oil, as needed
Tomato Sauce
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 shallots, finely sliced
- 4 garlic cloves, crushed
- 2 lb canned chopped tomatoes
- 1 tbsp fresh thyme, chopped
- ¼ cup green olives, pitted
- ¼ cup black olives, pitted
- ½ tsp superfine sugar
Garnish
- Fresh parsley, chopped
- Lemon wedges
Portion Size: 4 (2 oz) meatballs.
Method
For the Aussie meatballs: In a large bowl, combine all the ingredients until thoroughly mixed. Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes. Roll the mixture into 1½ inch meatballs, using hands dipped in warm water to prevent sticking.
Heat the olive oil in a large, heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium-high heat. Sear the meatballs in batches until browned on all sides. Transfer to a baking sheet and set aside. (The meatballs can be covered and refrigerated at this point.)
For the sauce: Heat the olive oil in a heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat. Sauté the shallots and garlic for 5 minutes, or until the shallots are translucent. Add the canned tomatoes and thyme, then reduce the heat to low. Simmer for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent the sauce from sticking or burning. Add the olives, season with salt and pepper, and stir in the sugar. If the sauce is too acidic, add a little more sugar. Serve immediately, or cool and refrigerate until needed.
To cook: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Bake the meatballs for 6-8 minutes, or until cooked through.
To serve: Reheat the sauce, if needed, then add the meatballs. Serve from the pot or transfer to a serving dish and garnish with chopped parsley and lemon wedges.
Dietary Substitutions
For Keto:
- Remove sugar from the tomato sauce.
- Replace bread crumbs with crushed pork rinds or almond flour.
For Paleo:
- Remove sugar from the tomato sauce.
- Replace bread crumbs with crushed pork rinds.
- Replace feta cheese with nutritional yeast.
- Use fresh olives versus preserved.
For Whole30:
- Remove sugar from the tomato sauce.
- Replace bread crumbs with crushed pork rinds.
- Replace feta cheese with nutritional yeast.
- Reduce or remove salt completely.
- Use fresh olives versus preserved.
