Tzatziki Salad with Lamb Meatballs
I broke every rule of making a list this Sunday when I headed to the grocery store. I literally walked into Sprouts, without a grocery list, not knowing what I was going to make or what I had to get. This is a first and I panicked a bit at first, as I kept thinking, what to make, what to make. While cruising through the meat department I saw ground lamb and somehow thought to make lamb meatballs, and then decided to put it together in a salad format (I figured we could use some greens). Voila Tzataiki Salat with Lamb Meatballs. Don’t ask me how this came to me but it did, and the meal turned out to be delicious! The best part about this meal is I got to use some fresh oregano from my garden to make it.
Pairing
We paired this salad with fresh made pita chips as I needed a little extra crunch but you could add literally about anything for that extra pop.
- Fresh Banana Peppers
- Nuts of choice
- Croutons
Making the Pita Chips
I didn’t include how to make the pita chips in the recipe below, so here are the simple directions to make them.
- Cut 2-3 whole pitas into quadrants.
- Place pita pieces on a cookie sheet.
- Brush olive oil on the top side of the pita pieces.
- Season as desired. (I seasoned with: salt, pepper, garlic powder, mint and paprika.)
- Enjoy!
Tzatziki Salad with Lamb Meatballs
Ingredients
Lamb Meatballs
- 1 Lb Ground Lamb
- 1 Tbsp Oregano Minced
- 1-2 Tbsp Parsley Minced
- 2 Tbsp Dill Minced
- 1/2-1 Tbsp Garlic Minced
- 1/2 Tsp Salt
- 1/2 Tsp Dried Mint
- 2 Tsp Lemon Juice
- 1/4 Tsp Cumin
- 1/2 Tsp Paprika
- 1/4 Cup Olive Oil
Tzatziki Sauce/Dressing
- 1 1/2 Cups 0% Fage Greek Yogurt
- 1/4 Cup Fresh Dill Minced
- 1 Tbsp Fresh Parsley Minced
- 1/2 Tsp Dried Mint
- 1/2 Tsp Garlic Minced
- 1/4-1/2 Tsp salt to taste
- 1-2 Tbsp Lemon Juice
- 1/4 Cup Cucumber Minced
Salad
- 4-5 Cups Argula washed
- 1 English Cucumber sliced
- 1-2 Avocados Diced
- 5-7 Green Onions Diced
- 1/2 Cup Feta Cheese Crumbles
Instructions
Lamb Meatballs
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Mince all fresh herbs and garlic and place in a large bowl.
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Add in dried spices and lemon juice.
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Mix ground lamb with dried spices, lemon juice and fresh herbs. The best way to mix this is by using your hands. It allows for the meatball mixture to be throughly mixed together. Post mixing wash your hands.
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Grab a large skillet and add in olive oil. Set the pan next to your meatball mixture.
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To make meatballs, grab enough ground lamb mixture to make a ball approximately 1-1 1/2 inches in diameter. Place the balls into the skillet as you finish them.
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Place meatballs in skillet on the stove top covered. Turn on low-medium heat. Let cook for 15 minutes and then flip and cook for another 10 minutes. If meatballs aren't done after this period of time keep flipping every 5 minutes until cooked through. (I had to adjust the temperature on the stove top multiple times to get them just right.)
Salad
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Place washed arugula on 4-5 plates.
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Sprinkle the sliced cucumbers, avocado and green onions on top. Set aside.
Tzatziki Sauce
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While the lamb meatballs are cooking, combine: greek yogurt, dill, parsley, mint, garlic, salt, cucumber and lemon juice. Set aside.
Putting it Together
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Once the meatballs are done. Divide them amongst the 4-5 plates (depending on how hungry you are you could have either 4 or 5 servings).
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Top the meatballs with the fresh Tzatziki sauce and sprinkle with feta cheese.
Recipe Notes
I paired our salads with fresh toasted pita chips for that little extra crunch on the side.
