Mediterranean Bison Sliders

Ingredients

• 2 pound percent-lean ground bison 
• 0.3 cup almonds chopped
• 0.5 cup rice uncooked
• 0.1 teaspoon pepper black freshly ground
• 24 small brioche buns ()
• 2 teaspoons coarse salt 
• 0.3 cup flat-leaf parsley divided chopped
• 2 teaspoons juice of lemon fresh
• 1.5 cups tomatoes low-sodium
• 3 tablespoons mint leaves whole divided chopped for garnish
• 3 tablespoons olive oil divided
• 1 cup nonfat yogurt plain
• 0.3 cup raisins chopped
• 1  stem saffron 

Equipment

• bowl
• frying pan
• oven
• microwave

Directions

1. Heat oven to 450°F. Cook rice as directed on package. In asmall skillet over low heat, toast almonds until golden,8 minutes. In a bowl using hands, mix bison, rice, almonds,raisins, 1/4 cup parsley, 2 tablespoons mint, salt and pepper. Forminto 24 balls, 1 1/2 inches each. Grease a 9" x 13" baking dishwith 2 tablespoons olive oil; arrange meatballs in dish, touching.
2. Bake until firm and slightly pink in center, 15 minutes. In abowl, combine yogurt, lemon juice, 1 tablespoon water, remaining1 tablespoon olive oil, parsley, mint; saffron (if desired), and saltand pepper to taste. In a microwave-safe bowl, heat marinarasauce. Top each brioche bun with 2 tablespoons marinara sauce,meatball, 1/2 tablespoon yogurt sauce and a mint leaf.
3. Self