Almost Meatless Albóndigas

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Photo: Leo Gong

Albóndigas, the Spanish word for meatballs, is the proper name for this recipe even though it calls for only a half pound of meat. Steel-cut oats are oat groats that have not been rolled; here, they serve as a chewy substitution for additional meat and soak up the flavors of spicy chipotle and the sauce.

SERVINGS
4 to 6

INGREDIENTS
1/2 cup steel-cut oatmeal
1/2 cup loosely packed fresh cilantro leaves, chopped, plus more for garnish
4 cloves garlic, minced (about 2 tablespoons), divided
1 chipotle in adobo sauce, seeded and chopped into a paste
4 teaspoons ground cumin, divided
2 teaspoons ground coriander, divided
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1/2 pound ground lamb
2 teaspoons olive oil
1 small onion, cut into 1/4-inch dice (about 1 cup)
1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
1 cup water
Juice of 1 lime

DIRECTIONS
Mix together the oatmeal, cilantro, half the garlic, the chipotle, 2 teaspoons of the cumin, 1 teaspoon of the coriander, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper in a bowl. Gently work the lamb into the mixture, distributing it evenly. Form balls out of tablespoon-size scoops of the mixture and set aside.

Heat the oil in a Dutch oven or a large pot over medium-high heat. Add the onion and sauté for 5 minutes. Stir in the remaining garlic, cumin, and coriander, cooking for an additional 30 seconds. Add the tomatoes and water and stir to combine. Bring the sauce to a simmer and add the meatballs. Simmer partially covered for 45 minutes. Season the sauce with salt and pepper to taste, squeeze the lime juice over the top, and serve with extra chopped cilantro.

Excerpted from Almost Meatless: Recipes That Are Better for Your Health and the Planet by Joy Manning and Tara Mataraza Desmond. Published by Ten Speed Press.

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