Mini Lamb Meatballs With Pomegranate Glaze
Kickoff is just a couple of hours away. You let your friends bring the easy stuff on the menu: the chips, the hot dogs, the brownies. No one’s going to be talking about those by halftime, Everyone is going to want to know how you came up with the idea to make meatballs that taste like a sultry stroll through a Moroccan bazaar. Mini lamb meatballs with pomegranate glaze are how to do it. These will go fast; Don’t be afraid to double—triple?—this recipe depending on the size of the party or the veracity of your guests.
Directions
Preheat broiler to high, setting top rack 5 inches below the heat source. Lightly oil a foil-lined rimmed baking sheet and set it aside.
Soak the bread in the milk in a small bowl for 5 minutes. Crumble the lamb into a large bowl. Add the egg, garlic, cilantro, 2 tablespoons of mint, orange zest, salt, and spices. Squeeze the milk out of the soaking bread, discard the milk, and crumble the bread into the bowl of meat. Combine with your hands until just mixed. Try to avoid overworking the mixture or the meatballs will turn out dense and heavy. Form lamb mixture into 32 balls (using wet hands or an ice cream scoop), about 1-inch each, (about 1 tablespoon per meatball), and place on the prepared baking sheet. Brush or spray meatballs with oil. Broil until meatballs are lightly golden and just cooked through, 5 to 7 minutes.
Push meatballs together on the pan and toss with the molasses; roll around on the pan to coat evenly. Transfer the meatballs to a serving platter and drizzle the glaze and juices over them. Scatter the mint leaves and pomegranate seeds over the meatballs and serve warm with toothpicks.
Cook’s Notes
Is straight-up lamb too gamey for you? Substitute half of the lamb with beef.
Don’t like cilantro? Use parsley instead.
