As most of you will know, I am a huge fan of Mediterranean flavours. Using this as inspiration, I made lamb meatballs. They have olives and basil and whereas they might not be traditionally Greek, I served them with mint hummus.
Head straight on to the Recipe For ♥ Lamb Meatballs ♥
I became a rugby fan by accident, and not by design. In highschool my friends started dating boys, most of whom played rugby. There were some infamous names amongst the group, and some famous ones. I tagged along because we always did things together. Being quite sporty I learnt the rules, and the nuances just by watching. When I went to University I became friends with a few guys who would end up playing for the Springboks in the 1995 World Cup. That year cemented my love of the game as we came together as a nation. I watched every match I could, no matter who was playing. And in 2001 going to the box at Newlands became a thing I did regularly. Through this experience I met someone who would become my rugby mate. Dave and I watched hundreds if not thousands of matches with him.
Today’s inspirational recipe from Lavender and Lime ♥ Lamb Meatballs ♥ #LavenderAndLime Share on X
We would park off in his bedroom where there was a large screen TV, he and Dave on the bed, and me on the floor. I would yell my two cents worth at the referee and offer my opinion on the plays being made. And then in 2020 he died, and my passion for the game was lost. I was grieving for my friend and could not watch rugby without missing him. So I stopped watching, or if I did, I only partly paid attention. But two weeks before the World Cup I decided I should remedy that. Mainly so I could learn the names and faces of our players. My enthusiasm returned as I could remember my friend without any pain. And the Springboks winning helped matters a lot! Have you ever met a famous sports player? If so, who was it?
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Lamb Meatballs
Ingredients
- 15 mls olive oil
- 1 shallot, peeled, cut in half and finely chopped
- 1 clove garlic, peeled and finely chopped
- 15 pitted black olives
- 10 g fresh basil leaves
- 250 g minced lamb
- salt and freshly ground black pepper to season
- flour for dusting
to cook and serve
- 30 mls olive oil
- serve in pita breads with hummus
Method
- Place the olive oil into a frying pan and heat over a medium temperature
- Add the shallots and sauté until soft, lowering the temperature slightly to ensure they do not brown
- Add the garlic and sauté until soft and fragrant
- Set aside to cool
- Place the olives and basil leaves into a mortar and crush with a pestle
- Place the mince into a bowl, season generously and add the shallots, garlic, olives and basil
- Mix to combine then shape into 10 x 35g meatballs and place onto a plate
- Place into the fridge for at least an hour to firm up
- Remove from the fridge and lightly dust the meatballs with flour
to cook and serve
- Place the oil into a frying pan and heat over a medium to high temperature
- Carefully place the meatballs into the oil and brown on all sides as best as you can
- Cook to your desired level of doneness then serve in pita breads with hummus
View the previous posts on November 14:
- 2018: Ottolenghi Simple
- 2016: Baharat
- 2014: Sea Harvest Give Away
- 2013: Garlic Soup
- 2012: Food And Wine Bloggers Indaba 2012
- 2011: Red Wine Braised Short Ribs
- 2010: Friday’s Food Quiz Number 40
Just love lamb! Am likely to make ‘balls’ of anything edible! Have not put olives in any but shall try! Rugby ??? Well . . . no . . . do not follow anything with a ball and feet . . . !I/m the gal faithfully at the Tour and the Giro and the Vuelta and . . .
I am a sports fanatic, as long as I understand the rules 😉
we don’t eat lamb but who doesn’t love a meatball?:=) I lost a friend last year, someone i worked with many years ago. so heartbreaking…
I hope your heart finds peace soon xxx
Ground lamb is almost more fun than a good lamb chop. So much you can do with it. I love your meatball recipe.
Thank you Mimi 🙂
These look wonderful, Tandy. I actually had meatballs on my list this week, but they won’t be as lovely as these. 🙂 Hugs.
I am sure yours will be just as amazing 🙂
I’m a fan of Mediterranean flavours too, and these meatballs look and sound so good to me. Loving the addition of olives and basil here.
Thank you Ben 🙂
I like to make medieval hummus which has parsley and mint – so delicious!
I like the sound of that combination 🙂
I love eating and making meatballs, and lamb is the best. These look delicious. We follow rugby league here.
Hope you try these Pauline 🙂