Minted Lamb Kefta Skewers with Lemon-Dressed Bean Salad

Name: Minted Lamb Kefta Skewers with Lemon-Dressed Bean Salad
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 40 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Tunisian
Ingredients: 1 pound ground lamb; 0.5 cup fresh mint (finely chopped); 0.25 cup fresh parsley (finely chopped); 3 clove garlic (minced and minced, for dressing); 1 teaspoon ground cumin; 0.5 teaspoon paprika; 0.5 teaspoon salt; 0.25 teaspoon black pepper; 2 tablespoon olive oil (for cooking and extra virgin, for dressing); 15 ounce cannellini beans (rinsed and drained); 1 cup cherry tomatoes (halved); 0.5 English cucumber (diced); 0.25 red onion (thinly sliced); 3 tablespoon lemon juice (fresh, for dressing)

Succulent lamb kefta (meatballs) infused with fresh mint and spices, grilled or pan-fried, paired with a refreshing white bean salad tossed in a bright lemon-garlic dressing.

Prep: 25 min
Cook: 15 min
Total: 40 min
Servings: 4
Cuisine: Tunisian
Difficulty: Easy
Cost: $4.75/serving

Dietary

Dairy-Free
Nut-Free
Egg-Free
Gluten-Free
High-Fiber
Low-Sugar
Low-Carb

Ingredients

1 pound ground lamb
0.5 cup fresh mint (finely chopped)
0.25 cup fresh parsley (finely chopped)
3 clove garlic (minced and minced, for dressing)
1 teaspoon ground cumin
0.5 teaspoon paprika
0.5 teaspoon salt
0.25 teaspoon black pepper
2 tablespoon olive oil (for cooking and extra virgin, for dressing)
15 ounce cannellini beans (rinsed and drained)
1 cup cherry tomatoes (halved)
0.5 English cucumber (diced)
0.25 red onion (thinly sliced)
3 tablespoon lemon juice (fresh, for dressing)

Instructions

In a large bowl, combine the ground lamb, 1/2 cup of fresh mint, 1/4 cup of fresh parsley, 2 minced cloves of garlic, 1 teaspoon of ground cumin, 1/2 teaspoon of paprika, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, and 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper. Mix thoroughly with your hands until just combined (do not overmix).
Divide the lamb mixture into 12 equal portions. Shape each portion into an elongated kefta shape or small meatball. If using wooden skewers, thread 3 kefta onto each of four skewers. (Soak wooden skewers in water for 30 minutes if grilling).
Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the kefta skewers or meatballs and cook for 4-6 minutes per side (total 12-18 minutes), or until nicely browned and cooked through. Alternatively, grill them over medium heat until cooked.
While the kefta cooks, prepare the bean salad. In a medium bowl, combine the rinsed and drained cannellini beans, halved cherry tomatoes, diced English cucumber, and thinly sliced red onion.
In a small bowl, whisk together 3 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice, 1 tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil, and 1 minced clove of garlic. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper.
Pour the dressing over the bean mixture and toss gently to combine. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
Serve the minted lamb kefta skewers hot with the lemon-dressed bean salad.

Notes

You can prepare the kefta mixture ahead of time and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. The bean salad can also be made a few hours in advance, but add the dressing just before serving to keep the vegetables crisp.

Nutrition (per serving)

Calories: 477
Protein: 26.7 g
Carbohydrates: 23.2 g
Fat: 30.3 g
Fiber: 8 g
Sodium: 622 mg
Saturated Fat: 11 g
Sugar: 3.5 g
Cholesterol: 85 mg