Grilled Middle Eastern Meatballs

• Recipe by Melissa Rubel

Pass crisp lettuce leaves and tangy yogurt with these cumin-spiced patties and assemble them at the table.

Ingredients

1. 1 pound ground chuck
2. 1/2 small onion, finely chopped
3. 1 garlic clove, minced
4. 1 tablespoon minced flat-leaf parsley
5. 1 1/2 teaspoon minced fresh mint
6. 1 1/2 teaspoons zatar (see Note)
7. 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
8. 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
9. 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
10. Bibb lettuce leaves and plain yogurt, for serving

Directions

1. Light a grill. In a medium bowl, gently mix the chuck with the onion, garlic, parsley, mint, zatar, salt, cumin and pepper. Form the meat into 1 1/2-inch balls and flatten them to 3/4 inch thick patties.
2. Grill the meatballs over moderately high heat until pink in the center, about 2 minutes per side. Wrap the grilled meatballs in lettuce leaves and serve with yogurt.

Notes

Zatar is a Middle Eastern spice blend made with sesame seeds, thyme and sumac, a tart seasoning made from ground dried berries.