This quick and easy meatball recipe is what my mom used to make for dinner when she got back from work and needed to whip up something fast. The Turkish word "köfte" which originates from Farsi literally means "pounded" and in Turkish it refers to pretty much any meatball. The Turkish meatballs sold at restaurants mostly use ground lamb. Mom's meatballs are a home cooked version of the same delicious recipe.

These meatballs are a staple in my kitchen and they work with any meat. If you want to impress your guests you can use ground lamb, for a healthier alternative you can use ground turkey or lean ground beef. These meatballs also work great for grilling. If you want, you can also make them ahead and freeze for up to a month.

Yields: 4 servings Time: 20 minutes

Ingredients

1 pound ground beef

1 small onion, diced or grated

1 egg

A handful of parsley, chopped

2 tablespoons bread crumbs

1 teaspoon cumin

1 teaspoon black pepper

1/2 teaspoon salt

2 tablespoons olive oil, for cooking

Preparation

1. In a large bowl, combine all the ingredients. Knead with your hand until everything is incorporated.

2. Pour the olive oil into a pan.

3. Using your hands, form oval shaped meatballs and transfer them to the pan.

4. Set the heat to high and cook for 1-2 minutes until both sides of the meatballs are browned.

5. Reduce the heat to medium-low, cover with lid and cook for 7-8 minutes until cooked through.