Greek meatballs with mint & dried apricots

by Running to the Kitchen on January 30, 2013

greek meatballs

So there’s this game on Sunday. This stupid, stupid game in which 95% of Americans will be gathered around their tvs watching, screaming, cheering and eating while a bunch of overpaid men run around tackling each other.

I hate football in case that wasn’t obvious. Just hearing the “duh, duh, duh-duhhhhh…” music is enough to put me in a bad mood. It’s not the sport (although, I do think it’s pretty dumb too compared to all the other more skillful ones out there) as much as it is the football mentality that makes everyone just seem like an idiot to me. I hate how football is one of the things people associate with American “culture”. What a sad association that is…

greek meatballs

Anyway, before I lose every reader out there with my football rants (I know I’m in the minority). I do enjoy any excuse to make food. Particularly, finger food that can be mindlessly popped while watching tv without having to think twice about the horrific-ness of it’s ingredients (like most superbowl food).

If you’re going to serve this to any jersey wearing crowd this Sunday though, I’d leave out the mention of mint & apricots. I’m gonna go out on a limb and say they probably won’t pick that combo when compared to something drenched in cheese or buffalo sauce. Stick it in front of them though with some garlicky yogurt dipping sauce and they’ll be none the wiser.

greek meatballs

Or just say screw it and make them for yourself.

Greek meatballs with mint & dried apricots
 
Prep time

Cook time

Total time

 

Greek meatballs made with lamb, mint & dried apricots.
Author:
Serves: about 15 meatballs

Ingredients
  • 1 lb. ground lamb
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1½ tablespoon mint, chopped
  • 1 tablespoon parsley, chopped
  • zest of 1 lemon
  • ½ teaspoon cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon oregano
  • salt & pepper
  • 1 egg
  • ¼ cup dried apricots, finely chopped
  • *feta cheese for stuffing (see note)

Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 375.
  2. Combine all ingredients in a bowl and mix together.
  3. Form 1-2 inch meatballs with your hands and place in a baking dish.
  4. Bake for about 20-22 minutes.
  5. Remove meatballs from dish and transfer to a cool rack to drain the fat.
  6. Serve with a garlic yogurt sauce and garnish with mint.

Notes
if using feta, form meatballs and stuff a small piece of feta inside each one, making sure the lamb mixture covers the cheese entirely. bake as indicated.

 

{ 9 comments… read them below or add one }

1 Jennifer @ Peanut Butter and Peppers January 30, 2013 at 7:33 am

Yum! What a great combination! Love that you used apricot in it! I’d love to make a pita with the meatballs!

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2 Heather Baedke January 30, 2013 at 8:29 am

Good Morning~ I was wondering if you would share your paleo breakfast break recipe it looked soo good the other day! I am with ya on the football~ not my thing either!!

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3 Heather @ Heather's Dish January 30, 2013 at 8:33 am

See, I do love football…but I sure do love finger foods too! These look incredible!

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4 Elizabeth@ Food Ramblings January 30, 2013 at 9:20 am

Yum- love the flavors in the meatballs!

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5 MizFit January 30, 2013 at 10:48 am

OOOH this sounds divine!!!

you know, because Im a misfit and all :-)

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6 Ari @ Ari's Menu January 30, 2013 at 11:04 am

I HATE football too, and especially the super bowl! But I do love food, and all the super bowl parties pretty much revolve around food, so that’s a redeeming quality.

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7 Megan {Country Cleaver} January 30, 2013 at 11:31 pm

Ohhh I’ve been dying for some healthier football recipes. Not that I don’t love the greasy crap – but after all the holidays of guilt and an increased pant size – I am needing some healthier options for this year. My jeans will thank me.

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8 Erin January 31, 2013 at 5:55 am

Bahaha! I think I just found my new kindred spirit! I emailed this to my husband to show him that I am not the only person out there with a correct opinion on football ;) Thanks for the laugh and the awesome recipe!

minutesformama.blogspot.com

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9 Cara January 31, 2013 at 5:27 pm

Yeah I wouldn’t waste these on the superbowl ;) But dinner tonight, yes please!

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