Curry Spiced Turkey Meatballs over Lemon Rice

Preparation

1. Step 1

   Heat a medium pot with a tight-fitting lid over medium-high heat. Add 1 tablespoon of the EVOO, once around the pan. Add 1/2 tablespoon of coriander, the celery, carrot, the crushed garlic clove, the zest of both lemons, and a little salt and pepper and cook, stirring, for about 1 minute. Add the rice and stir it to coat it in the oil. Add 2 1/2 cups of the chicken stock and the juice of one of the lemons. Bring the stock to a boil, cover the pot, and reduce the heat to a simmer. Cook for 15 to 18 minutes, until the rice is tender.

   Step 2

   In a mixing bowl, combine the ground meat, grated onion, half of the parsley, half of the chopped garlic, the curry powder, the remaining 1/2 tablespoon of coriander, the cumin, half of the grated ginger, and salt and pepper. Mix until just combined. Preheat a nonstick skillet over medium-high heat with the remaining 2 tablespoons of EVOO. Dip your hands in some water, then begin rolling small, bite-size balls, adding the balls to the pan as you roll them. Continue dipping and rolling until you have used up all the ground meat mixture. Let the meatballs get nice and brown before you turn them. Cook the balls for 10 to 12 minutes, shaking the pan occasionally to brown them equally on all sides.

   Step 3

   Remove the balls from the skillet to a plate, return the skillet to the heat, and add the butter, sliced onion, the remaining chopped garlic, the rest of the grated ginger, the serrano pepper halves, and salt and pepper. Cook for about 3 minutes, until the onions are slightly tender, stirring frequently. Sprinkle the onions with the flour and continue to cook them for 1 minute. Whisk in the remaining 2 cups of chicken stock and bring the mixture up to a boil. Add the mango chutney and return the meatballs back to the skillet; cook for 2 to 3 minutes, add the peas, the remaining parsley, and the cilantro, and cook 1 more minute. Remove the serrano pepper from the sauce and discard. Divide the lemon rice among dinner plates and top it with some of the meatballs and sauce.