1/2 pound extra lean ground beef
1 small yellow onion, chopped
1/2 tsp. pepper
1 tsp. ground cinnamon or a bit more to taste
2 eggs
1/2 cup garbanzo beans, soaked over night in 4 C. of water
4 C. plain nonfat yogurt
1/4 cup basmati rice
1 T. flour
1/2 tsp. turmeric
5 C. chicken stock or water
1/2 cup lentils, soaked overnight in 2 C. of water, drained
1/4 cup chopped parsley
1/4 cup chopped green onions
5 T. chopped, fresh mint
pepper to taste
2 cloves garlic, minced very fine
pomegranate seeds, optional

Drain the chickpeas in a colander and rinse well. Cover with cold water and bring up to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer until the chickpeas are tender. Set aside. (You may use canned; just rinse them) Cover the lentils with cold water, bring to a simmer and cook until firm, about 20 minutes. To make the meatballs: Combine the chopped onion and one egg in the container of a food processor (or grate the onion by hand). In a bowl combine the ground beef, the egg and onion mixture, salt and pepper, and 1/2 tsp. of cinnamon (or more to taste). Mix well with your hands then form into tiny meatballs. Refrigerate. Put yogurt into a large saucepan. Add the remaining egg, flour, turmeric, and 1/2 tsp. of cinnamon and stir with a whisk. Add the rice, the lentils and two C. of stock or water to the pot. Cook gently, over low heat, stirring occasionally, for about 10 minutes. Add the cooked chickpeas, the parsley, green onions, and 3 T. of chopped mint. Simmer for 10 minutes, then add the garlic and the meatballs and simmer 10 minutes more. Adjust seasoning with pepper and sprinkle with remaining chopped mint and optional pomegranate seeds.

1 bowl (1/6 recipe) Calories 312 Fiber 7 g