Greek Meatballs (Koftas) and Sweet Potato Fries

Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cook Time: 25 minutes | Serves 4-6

Ingredients

• 2 pounds pasture-raised ground beef or lamb
• 2 shallots
• 1/2 cup fresh parsley
• 2 teaspoons sweet or regular paprika
• 1 Tablespoon dijon mustard
• kosher salt and black pepper
• chili flakes
• 2 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 1lb sweet potatoes, cut into matchsticks
• 1 head lettuce (salanova, gem or butter lettuce is great for this)
• 1-2 cups Tzatziki --> Make your own in 5 minutes!
• optional: tomatoes, avocado, and pitas, for serving

• 1/2 lemon, halved
• 4 cloves garlic cloves, smashed
• 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 2 Tablespoons red wine vinegar
• 1 cup fresh parsley, chopped
• 1 cup fresh mint, chopped

Instructions

Tip before you start: You should only need 1 chef's knife, 1 cutting board, 1 large mixing bowl and 2 sheet pans for this recipe. 

1. Line a baking sheet with parchment and preheat in the oven to 425° F. *Important to preheat your sheet pan!
2. Line another baking sheet with parchment and set aside.
3. Remove beef from the fridge and set aside. It will cook more evenly and be easier to manipulate if it's not too cold.
4. Cut sweet potato into 1/4" matchsticks and add to a mixing bowl.
5. Toss together the sweet potatoes with 2 Tablespoons olive oil and a pinch of salt and pepper.
6. Carefully remove baking sheet from oven and add sweet potatoes. Bake 25 minutes, until the potatoes are crispy.
7. Add the beef, shallots, parsley, paprika, dijon, salt, pepper, and chili flakes to the bowl used for the sweet potatoes and, using clean, slightly damp hands, mix until well combined.
8. Rinse your hands again, and roll the meat into 3 Tablespoon size balls, placing them on the second prepared baking sheet.
9. Wash hands thoroughly, then quarter a lemon, remove skin from garlic and smash with the side of our knife. 
10. Add the lemon wedges and garlic to the baking sheet.
11. Bake for 15-20 minutes, until the meatballs are crisp and cooked through on the inside.
12. Meanwhile, make the dressing. Chop shallots and parsley, then add to a container with a lid and shake together with the olive oil, and red wine vinegar.
13. Pull the meatball pan from the oven, remove the lemons and garlic.
14. Juice the lemons into the dressing.
15. Chop the garlic and mix into the dressing and give the dressing another shake.
16. Finely chop your lettuce and set aside.
17. To assemble, add Tzatziki and lettuce to a bowl. Top with meatballs and drizzle the dressing over the meatballs. Add the potatoes and any other desired toppings. Serve with additional Tzatziki (of course!).

Image borrowed and recipe adapted from halfbakedharvest.com