Juicy Meatball Pitas

By NicoleS

Ingredients

• Meatballs:
• 1 lb ground beef
• 2 1/2 ounces fine dried breadcrumbs
• 2 tablespoons barbecue seasoning
• 1 tablespoon ground coriander
• 1 tablespoon ground cumin
• 2 cloves garlic, crushed
• 2 small onions (maybe use less or try dried minced onion)
• 1 red bell pepper (maybe use less)
• 1 egg (try for binder)
• Handful fresh cilantro, chopped
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• Oil, for frying
• Tzatziki Sauce:
• 1/2 cucumber
• 1/2 cup Greek yogurt
• 2 tablespoons sour cream, optional
• Small handful fresh mint, chopped
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• Sandwich:
• Whole wheat pitas, for serving
• Arugula, for serving
• Cherry tomatoes, halved, for serving

Details

Servings 4
Adapted from cookingchanneltv.com

Preparation

Step 1

For the meatballs: Pulse the onions, bell pepper and garlic in a food processor until finely ground. Add breadcrumbs, barbecue seasoning, ground coriander, ground cumin, garlic, onion, bell pepper, egg, chopped coriander and some salt and pepper into a large bowl and mix well to combine. Add the beef and mix until combined. Take 1 tablespoon of the mix and roll it in your hands to form a ball. Repeat with rest of the mixture.

Heat some oil in a large non-stick pan. Add the meatballs and fry until golden brown on all sides. Put on a lid or cover with tin foil and cook for another couple minutes until cooked through.

For the tzatziki: Slice the cucumber in half lengthwise and scrape out the core with a spoon. Grate the cucumber and then squeeze out any excess moisture before transferring to a bowl. Add the yogurt, sour cream if using and mint and stir to combine. Season with salt and pepper.

To serve, toast the pitas. Cut in half and fill with the meatballs, arugula, tomatoes and tzatziki.

Notes to make your own breadcrumbs, put 4 slices brown bread (whole wheat bread), crusts removed, into the oven at 390 degrees F for 5 minutes, then blitz in a food processor.