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Oven-Baked Beef Meatballs

4.5

(8)

Image may contain Plant Food Seasoning Dish Meal Produce and Vegetable
Photo by Alex Lau

Berbere, a warming Ethiopian spice blend, punches up these incredibly easy meatballs.

Ingredients

1 large egg
4 garlic cloves, 2 finely grated, 2 thinly sliced
3 tablespoons white miso
3 tablespoons whole milk
1 1/2 teaspoons berbere or garam masala
1 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more
3/4 ounces Pecorino, finely grated (about 3/4 cup)
3 tablespoons panko (Japanese breadcrumbs)
1 pound ground beef
2 tablespoons dried currants
2 bunches Tuscan kale, ribs and stems removed, leaves torn
3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
8 small radishes, trimmed, halved lengthwise
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Preheat oven to 400°F. Whisk egg, grated garlic, miso, milk, berbere, and 1 tsp. salt in a large bowl. Mix in Pecorino and panko. Add beef and currants and gently mix with your hands just until all ingredients are evenly incorporated (be careful not to overmix).

    Step 2

    Working one at a time, scoop out 2 heaping Tbsp. (about 1 1/2 oz.) mixture and roll into balls between your palms. Place on a foil-lined rimmed baking sheet, spacing 2" apart (you should end up with about 15). Bake meatballs until lightly browned on top and cooked through, 20–25 minutes.

    Step 3

    Meanwhile, place kale in a large colander in the sink and pour 8 cups boiling water over top to wilt leaves. Run under cold water to rinse, then squeeze leaves thoroughly with your hands to remove excess liquid.

    Step 4

    Heat 2 Tbsp. oil in a large skillet over medium-high. Add radishes and cook, tossing occasionally, until golden and crisp-tender, 5–7 minutes. Add kale and stir, breaking up leaves, until warmed through. Push kale and radishes to one side of skillet. Pour remaining 1 Tbsp. oil on the empty side and add sliced garlic. As soon as garlic starts to sizzle, stir it into vegetables. Remove pan from heat and add lemon juice to mixture; season with salt. Toss well.

    Step 5

    Tear meatballs in half and add to skillet along with any pan juices. Toss everything together; divide among plates.

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