Figs
Featured Ingredient
Figs appear in the earliest recorded history. The fig tree is the symbol of abundance, of fertility, of sweetness. Figs are rich in history and health benefits, here are two:
1. Figs are a good source of potassium, a mineral that helps to control blood pressure.
2. Figs are a good source of dietary fiber. Fiber and fiber-rich foods may have a positive effect on weight management.
Ingredients - Spiced Lamb Meatballs
- 1lb. ground lamb or grass-fed beef
- 1 tsp. cumin
- 1 tsp. dried onion
- 1/2 tsp. garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp. cinnamon
- Sea salt & pepper
Ingredients - Balsamic-fig Compote
- 1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
- 1/2 cup water
- 6-8 figs, dried or fresh, sliced (I used fresh figs, but if you want a sweeter sauce use the dried figs)
- 2 sprigs of fresh organic rosemary
Ingredients - Cauliflower Rice
- 1 head cauliflower, chopped (don't steam!)
- 1 Tbs. organic coconut oil
- 1/4 cup of chopped cilantro (you can substitute onion if you don't like cilantro)
Step-by-step recipe
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Preheat the oven to 375°F and prepare all of your ingredients. Let's begin by preparing the spiced meatballs.
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Mix the meat and all spices together in a mixing bowl. Feel free to substitute ground lamb with beef, bison, or other ground meat you care to enjoy. watch video
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Form into small meatballs. With 1lb of ground lamb, we rolled ~18 meatballs. Place the meatballs on a foil-lined baking sheet.watch video
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When the oven is ready, put them in for 20-25 minutes, until they're cooked through.
When you check on the meatballs later, you will know they are done if they are brown and bubbling on the tray.
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While the meatballs are baking, let's make the cauliflower rice! If you haven't already chopped the cauliflower, cop it up now. Take the chopped cauliflower and grate it with the fine cheese grate. Or you can toss it into a food processor and pulse into tiny, fine cauliflower pieces. Either way, in the end it should look like “rice”.
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In a satuee pan, coat with 2 Tbs. coconut oil and lightly cook the cauliflower (and onion if you chose to include it) for about 5-7 minutes until softened to your desired texture. Stir in salt and pepper to flavor while in the pan.
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Once it's softened enough, take it out of the pan and transfer to your serving dish. You can also toss in the chopped cilantro and incorporate it.watch video
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Set aside the cauliflower, and let's begin the fig compote. Add vinegar, water, figs, and rosemary to your pan on the stove.
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Simmer for about 10-15 minutes or until the compote reduces. It will seem very watery at first, but over time, it will turn into a thick sweet compote.watch video
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The meatballs should be done by now, so please pull them out of the oven. As mentioned earlier, they should be brown + bubbling.
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You can put the meatballs over the compote, or drizzle the compote over the meatballs whatever you like :) Enjoy!
Remember, you can swap the lamb for beef or bison for more deliciousness.
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