Flavorful South American dish (Print Version)
# Ingredients:
→ Chicken Meatballs
01 -
1 pound ground chicken or turkey
02 -
1 egg
03 -
½ cup breadcrumbs or panko
04 -
¼ cup fresh cilantro leaves, minced
05 -
3 cloves garlic, minced
06 -
1 Tablespoon soy sauce
07 -
1 Tablespoon olive oil
08 -
1 Tablespoon lime juice
09 -
1 teaspoon cumin
10 -
½ teaspoon coriander
11 -
1/2 teaspoon paprika
12 -
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
13 -
½ teaspoon salt
14 -
Black pepper to taste
→ Green Rice
15 -
4 cups chicken broth or bone broth, divided
16 -
1 bay leaf (optional)
17 -
2 cups white rice
18 -
1/2 cup fresh cilantro leaves
19 -
2 cups baby spinach leaves
20 -
4 green onions, coarsely chopped
21 -
1 lime, zested, plus 1 Tablespoon lime juice
22 -
1 TBSP olive oil
→ Green Sauce
23 -
3 jalapeños, seeded, ribs removed and roughly chopped
24 -
1 cup fresh cilantro leaves
25 -
2 green onions, chopped (green parts only)
26 -
2 cloves garlic, peeled
27 -
1/2 cup mayonnaise
28 -
1/4 cup Greek yogurt
29 -
1 Tablespoon lime juice
30 -
1/2 teaspoon salt
31 -
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
32 -
2 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
# Instructions:
01 -
Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F.
02 -
Mix all the meatball ingredients together in a mixing bowl.
03 -
Roll the mixture into about 30 small balls. Use a 1 TBSP cookie scoop to do this. Place on baking sheet.
04 -
Bake for 15-17 minutes, until cooked through. Meanwhile, make the sauce and rice.
05 -
Add 3 ½ cups chicken broth and bay leaf to a medium pot and bring to a boil. Add rice, cover, and reduce heat to a simmer. Cook for 15-18 minutes, until the rice is tender.
06 -
Add the cilantro, spinach, green onions, lime juice, lime zest, olive oil and remaining ½ cup broth to a food processor or blender and process into coarse green paste.
07 -
Stir the green paste into the cooked rice and allow to stand, covered, for a few minutes.
08 -
To the now empty food processor or blender, add all the sauce ingredients except for the olive oil. Process until smooth. Then, with the motor running, slowly drizzle in the olive oil.
09 -
Portion the rice into bowls and place the meatballs on top. Drizzle with the green sauce and enjoy.
# Notes:
01 -
This dish combines traditional Peruvian flavors with a modern twist for a vibrant, flavorful meal.
02 -
The green sauce (aji verde) is a classic Peruvian condiment that goes well with many dishes.
03 -
For less heat, reduce the amount of jalapeños in the green sauce.