Meatballs with Spiced Tomato Sauce

Ingredients

• 0.5 pound ground beef 90% lean
• 0.5 teaspoon pepper black divided
• 0.5 cup breadcrumbs fresh
• 15 ounce canned tomatoes crushed canned
• 1 large eggs lightly beaten
• 0.3 cup mint leaves fresh chopped
• 1 teaspoon garlic fresh minced
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin 
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger 
• 0.5 pound lamb 
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt divided
• 6 servings mint leaves 
• 1 tablespoon olive oil 
• 0.5 cup onion chopped
• 2 tablespoons onion finely chopped
• 3 6-inch wholewheat pita breads whole-wheat warmed halved ()
• 0.3 cup water 

Equipment

• frying pan

Directions

1. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
2. Add 2 tablespoons onion and garlic; cook 1 minute, stirring constantly. Cool slightly.
3. Combine onion mixture, breadcrumbs, and mint; add lamb, beef, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon pepper, and egg; stir gently. Shape into 30 (1-inch) meatballs.
4. Return pan to medium-high; add meatballs. Cook 4 minutes.
5. Remove meatballs from pan.
6. Add 1/2 cup onion to pan; saut 2 minutes.
7. Add ginger and next 3 ingredients; simmer 5 minutes. Stir in 1/4 cup water, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Return meatballs to pan; simmer 20 minutes or until done.
8. Serve with pitas.
9. Sprinkle with mint leaves.