Description
This flavorful recipe features tender ground lamb stuffed into sweet piquillo peppers, baked to perfection and served with a creamy, zesty avocado lime puree. Perfect as an appetizer or a light main dish, this meal combines warm spices like cumin, coriander, and turmeric with a cooling avocado sauce for a delightful balance.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 1/2 lbs. ground lamb
- 16 piquillo peppers (14-16 oz jar)
- 1 egg (scrambled)
- 1 tbsp matzo meal (breadcrumbs, or panko)
- 1.5 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp coriander
- 1-2 tsp red pepper flakes
- 1 tsp ground turmeric
- 2 tbsp avocado oil (canola oil, or sunflower seed oil)
- 1 tsp sea salt
- 1/2 tsp ground pepper
Avocado Lime Puree
- 2 avocados (pitted and skinned)
- 1 lime (juiced)
- 1 tbsp avocado oil
- 1/3 cup cilantro
- 1/2 tsp cumin
- 1 pinch sea salt
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F to prepare for baking the stuffed peppers.
- Prepare Lamb Mixture: In a bowl, combine ground lamb, scrambled egg, matzo meal (or breadcrumbs), cumin, coriander, red pepper flakes, turmeric, avocado oil, sea salt, and ground pepper. Mix well to evenly distribute the spices. Shape the mixture into 15 equally sized meatballs.
- Prepare Peppers: Lay the piquillo peppers on a baking sheet and pierce the tip of each pepper carefully with a knife to create an opening for stuffing.
- Stuff Peppers: Gently stuff each pepper with one lamb meatball, ensuring the meatball fits securely inside. Place the stuffed peppers on a baking sheet ready for baking.
- Bake: Bake the stuffed peppers in the preheated oven for approximately 18 minutes, or until the internal temperature of the meat reaches 160°F to ensure they are fully cooked.
- Make Avocado Lime Puree: While the peppers bake, add avocados, lime juice, avocado oil, cilantro, cumin, and a pinch of sea salt into a food processor or blender. Blend until smooth and creamy.
- Serve: Serve the lamb stuffed piquillo peppers warm or cold accompanied by the refreshing avocado lime puree for a vibrant flavor contrast.
Notes
- Ensure the internal temperature of lamb meatballs reaches 160°F for safe consumption.
- You can substitute matzo meal with panko or regular breadcrumbs if preferred.
- Adjust red pepper flakes according to your preferred spice level.
- The avocado lime puree can be prepared ahead and refrigerated to enhance flavors.
- Piquillo peppers are usually sweet and mild; if unavailable, roasted red peppers can be an alternative.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
