Greek Meatballs (Koftas) and Sweet Potato Fries - Hidden Kale

Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cook Time: 25 minutes | Serves 4-6

Ingredients

• 2 pounds pasture-raised ground beef, pork, or lamb
• 1/2 red onion, chopped
  
• 2 tsps sweet or regular paprika
• 1 Tbsp dijon mustard
• kosher salt and black pepper
• chili flakes
• 2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 1 lb sweet potatoes, cut into matchsticks
  
• 2 leaves lacinato kale, finely chopped
• 1 head lettuce (salanova, gem or butter lettuce is great for this)
• 1-2 cups Tzatziki --> Make your own in 5 minutes!
  Tzatziki - Winter Version
• optional: tomatoes, avocado, and pitas, for serving

Dressing

• 1/2 lemon, halved
• 4 cloves garlic, smashed
• 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 2 Tbsp red wine vinegar
  
• 1 cup fresh mint, chopped

Instructions

Tip before you start: You should only need 1 chef's knife, 1 cutting board, 1 large mixing bowl and 2 sheet pans for this recipe. 

1. Line a baking sheet with parchment and preheat in the oven to 425° F. *Important to preheat your sheet pan!
2. Line another baking sheet with parchment and set aside.
3. Remove meat from fridge and set aside. It will cook more evenly and be easier to manipulate if it's not too cold.
4. Cut sweet potato into 1/4" matchsticks and add to a mixing bowl.
5. Toss sweet potatoes with 2 Tbsp. olive oil and a pinch of salt and pepper.
6. Carefully remove baking sheet from oven and add sweet potatoes. Bake 25 minutes, until the potatoes are crispy.
7. Finely chop kale and place on a plate, drizzle with water, and microwave for 60 seconds. This softens the kale and makes it easier to mix into meatballs.
8. Add the meat, onions, kale, paprika, dijon, salt, pepper, and chili flakes to the bowl used for the sweet potatoes and, using clean, slightly damp hands, mix until well combined.
9. Rinse your hands again, and roll the meat into 3Tbsp-sized balls, placing them on the second prepared baking sheet.
10. Wash hands thoroughly, then quarter a lemon, remove skin from garlic and smash with the side of your knife. 
11. Add the lemon wedges and garlic to the baking sheet.
12. Bake for 15-20 minutes, until the meatballs are crisp and cooked through on the inside.
13.  Meanwhile, make salad dressing by adding olive oil, vinegar, and mint to a lidded container.  Shake vigorously.
    
14. Pull the meatball pan from the oven, remove the lemons and garlic.
15. Juice the lemons into the dressing.
16. Chop the garlic and mix into the dressing and give the dressing another shake.
17. Finely chop lettuce and set aside.
18. To assemble, add Tzatziki and lettuce to a bowl. Top with meatballs and drizzle the dressing over the meatballs. Add the potatoes and any other desired toppings. Serve with additional Tzatziki (of course!). Find our winter version of Tzatziki here.

Image borrowed and recipe adapted from halfbakedharvest.com