Lebanese Meatball Sandwich
When Meredith said she wanted a meatball sandwich, I immediately thought of my two favorites: Italian Meatball and Xiu Mai Banh Mi. But instead of either, we went rogue with kofta-style meatballs, tomato jam in place of marinara, minty yogurt sauce, and fresh greens. Honestly, this one might be a new favorite!
Yield: All recipes serve 2 people
Chef Notes: Feel free to use any tomatoes you have around as long as they are fresh and in season!
We press the meatballs into discs to expose more surface to browning, allowing a more even cook while fitting comfortably in the roll.
Components
Meatballs
Cherry Tomato Jam
Herb Yogurt
Dressed Greens
Grated Parmesan
Hoagie Rolls
Mise
Make the Meatballs by combining in a a small bowl with your hands or a large spoon:
1 lb Ground Turkey/Beef
¼ C of Cilantro, minced
1 t. Chile Flake
1 t Cumin
½ t Coriander
⅛ t Cinnamon
¼ C Cilantro
Once all of the ingredients are evenly mixed, scoop 1-2 oz portions and shape into a balls
Cherry Tomato Jam:
Slice 1 pint cherry tomatoes in halves (or quarters if large)
Slice 1 shallot thin
Mince 2-3 garlic cloves
Sauté ▸ the shallot in a sauté pan. Once the shallots soften, add the garlic and the cherry tomatoes. Simmer until the cherry tomatoes break down into a thick sauce. Season, taste and adjust with sherry vinegar and salt & pepper
Grate ¼ C of Parmesan
Make the Herb Yogurt Using a blender, combine
1 C yogurt
½ C fresh mint
The juice from 1 lime
Blend until smooth. Taste and adjust with salt, pepper or herbs.
Finish
Sear the meatballs in a large skillet, pressing down to make a thick disc. Flip once the first side has browned. Continue to cook on the other side until browned and the center has cooked through.
Dress the Arugula. In a small bowl, toss together arugula with your favorite vinegar, oil and a pinch of salt.
Toast the hoagie roll. Brush the roll with olive oil. In a toaster or under the broiler in the oven, toast until golden brown.
Build the sandwich: spread the tomato jam onto the bottom of the roll. Lay 3-4 meatballs on top of the jam. Top with parmesan, a drizzle of herb yogurt. Top with dressed arugula.