Ingredients

  • FOR THE MEATBALLS:
  • 1 ½ pounds ground lamb (or substitute ground beef, pork or turkey)
  • ½ cup raw arborio rice or any white rice, rinsed and drained
  • 2 teaspoons kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon toasted ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon toasted ground coriander
  • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ½ cup finely diced onion
  • 3 garlic cloves, grated or minced
  • FOR THE GRAVY:
  • Extra-virgin olive oil
  • ½ cup finely diced onion
  • Kosher salt
  • Pinch of saffron, crumbled, steeped in 1/4 cup warm water (optional)
  • 1 teaspoon toasted ground cumin
  • ½ teaspoon red-pepper flakes, or to taste
  • 1 (2-inch) cinnamon stick
  • 1 (28-ounce) can plum tomatoes with their juices
  • 1 cup chicken or beef broth (or chickpea cooking liquid)
  • 6 cups cooked chickpeas
  • ½ cup chopped parsley, cilantro or a combination