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    Pork, Lemon and Thyme Meatballs with Roasted Veg and Freekeh

    Published: Sep 1, 2018 · Modified: Apr 29, 2021 by Jacqueline Bellefontaine ·

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    serving of pork meatballs with roasted veg and freekeh

    Tasty pork meatballs flavoured with lemon and thyme and served with roasted vegetables and Freekeh makes an easy and healthy midweek meal.

    pork lemon and thyme meatballs with roasted veg and freekeh on a baking sheet

    • Easy
    • Healthy
    • Family Favourite

    Have your tried Freekeh?

    Try it, it is delicious! Freekeh is mentioned in the bible and has been used in Eastern Mediterranean dishes for thousands of years but it is relatively recently that it has appeared on the supermarket shelves in the UK.  It is made from Durum wheat which is harvested early while the wheat grains are still green, roasted or smoked, then polished and cracked to varying degrees of coarseness. The grains are pale greenish brown and similar in texture to bulgar wheat but with a rich, nutty, smoky flavour. Available cracked or whole, cracked freekeh is quicker to cook. Freekeh can be used in soups and stews or used to make salads and stuffing as well as making a tasty alternative to rice as a side dish.

    It's also healthy grain as Freekeh is low in fat and high in protein and fibre. Serving for serving, freekeh has more protein and twice as much fibre as quinoa and is a source of calcium, potassium, iron and zinc.

     

    pork, lemon and thyme meatballs with roasted veg and freekeh being spooned onto dinner plates

    Pork, Lemon and Thyme Meatballs with Roasted Veg and Freekeh

    This recipe has been adapted from one I found in a Waitrose magazine and it has already become a popular dish with my family. The original recipe was made with veal and used farro rather than freekeh. Like quinoa and freekeh, farro is a so-called ancient grain, which means that it's been around for generations, though it too has recently surged in popularity. Farro comes in whole grain, semi-pearled, and pearled varieties.  So you could substitute the farro for the freekeh as in the original recipe. You could also play around with the type of mince but I think pork or lamb works particularly well here. The original also just had tomatoes and peppers but I think the addition of onion and courgette really helps to make it a more satisfying meal.

    I usually serve meatballs with a sauce and when I first made this recipe I was a little concerned that it would be on the dry side but with the extra roasted vegetables if was fine and not in the least bit dry.  However, I am tempted to try it next time with my really easy yogurt sauce, not because I think it needs it but because I think the flavours would go quite well together.

    pork, lemon and thyme meatballs with roasted veg and freekeh on a serving plate

    pork, lemon and thyme meatballs with roasted veg and freekeh on a serving plate

    Pork, lemon and thyme meatballs with roasted veg and freekeh

    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Recipe Saved!
    An easy and delicious meal of pork meatballs served with roasted vegetables and freekeh. Perfect for a midweek dinner.
    Course Dinner,
    Cuisine International
    Keyword freekeh, grains, healthy
    Skill Level Easy
    Prep Time 20 mins
    Cook Time 40 mins
    Total Time 1 hr
    Servings 4
    Calories 697
    Author Jacqueline Bellefontaine

    Ingredients

    Meatballs:

    • 500 g pork mince
    • 50 g fresh wholemeal breadcrumbs
    • 1 clove garlic crushed
    • 1 lemon finely grated zest only
    • 1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme leaves

    Roasted veg and freekeh:

    • 1 red onion cut into 8 wedges
    • 300 g baby sweet peppers , seeded or 2-3 mixed bell peppers seeded and cut into chunks
    • 300 g courgettes (zucchini) trimmed and sliced diagonally
    • 4 plump garlic cloves
    • 2 tablespoon sherry vinegar
    • 4 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
    • few fresh thyme sprigs
    • 175 g cracked Freekeh
    • 300 g baby plum tomatoes
    • salt and freshly ground black pepper
    metric - US cups

    Instructions

    • Preheat the oven to 220℃ (190℃ fan)/425°F/gas mark 7. Make the meatballs. Place the mince, breadcrumbs, garlic, lemon zest and thyme in a mixing bowl and season with salt and pepper. 
    • Mix well, then divide into 12 and shape into balls. Chill until required. 
    • Place the onion, peppers, courgette and garlic on a baking sheet and sprinkle with the vinegar and  1 tablespoon of the olive oil add  a few thyme sprigs and roast for 15 minutes.
    • Cook the freekeh. Rince and place in a saucepan with 600ml (2½ cups) cold water. Bring to the boil, reduce the heat and simmer for 15 minutes until just tender.
    • Meanwhile, heat 1 tablespoon of the oil in a frying pan and fry the meatballs on all sides until golden.
    • Take the roasted vegetables out of the oven and add the tomatoes. Drain the Freekeh and add to the tin, stir to mix and sprinkle with 4 tablespoon water. 
    •  Place the meatballs on top and drizzle with the remaining olive oil. Roast for a further 15 minutes or until the meatballs are fully cooked.  Serve

    Notes

    Nutrition information is approximate and is meant as a guideline only. (It does not include seasoning with salt and pepper.) 

    Nutrition

    Calories: 697kcal | Carbohydrates: 49g | Protein: 34g | Fat: 42g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Cholesterol: 90mg | Sodium: 135mg | Potassium: 998mg | Fiber: 9g | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin A: 3125IU | Vitamin C: 137.3mg | Calcium: 91mg | Iron: 3.3mg
    Tried this recipe?Leave a comment or Mention @recipecrumbs or tag #RecipesMadeEasy

    Step by Step Pork, Lemon and Thyme Meatballs with Roasted Veg and Freekeh

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    Place the ingredients for the meatballs in a bowl and mix well.
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    Divide into 12 and shape into balls.
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    Place the peppers, onion, garlic and courgette on a baking sheet. Sprinkle with oil and vinegar and roast for 15 minutes.

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    Place the freekeh in a saucepan with the water.
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    Cook about 15 minutes until tender.
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    Brown the meatballs.

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    Add the tomatoes and freekeh and toss to combine. Place meat balls on top.
    pork lemon and thyme meatballs with roasted veg and freekeh on a baking sheet
    Sprinkle with a little oil and water and roast for 15 minutes.

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    About Jacqueline Bellefontaine

    Jacqueline is a member of the Guild of Food Writers and has been a cookery writer and food stylist for over 25 years. She has written over 15 cookery books, in addition to writing for several major magazines. She likes to champion good basic home cooking and as the daughter of a master baker, she is passionate about home baking.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Eb Gargano | Easy Peasy Foodie

      September 06, 2018 at 4:59 pm

      5 stars
      This is so my kind of meal! I love pork meatballs and roasted veg and grains like freekeh, so I know I would adore this. What a brilliant #midweekmeal. Let me know when you are next making it and I'll pop round 😉 Eb x

      Reply
      • Jacqueline A Bellefontaine

        September 07, 2018 at 11:33 am

        Thanks Eb pop round next week lol.

        Reply
    2. Michelle Frank | Flipped-Out Food

      September 06, 2018 at 2:18 pm

      5 stars
      I had never heard of Freekeh before this post! I'm excited to try it, though, because I am NOT a huge fan of quinoa, TBH. This is just a gorgeous meal: I think I'd serve it right in the sheet pan and let everyone at the table dig in!

      Reply
      • Jacqueline A Bellefontaine

        September 06, 2018 at 4:40 pm

        Thats exactly how I served it. I think you will really like Freekuh I know we are going to be eating a lot more of it. Like you not overly fussed by quinoa i think this is much nicer

        Reply
    3. Corina Blum

      September 06, 2018 at 5:44 am

      5 stars
      This sounds absolutely delicious! I will definitely have to look out for some freekeh soon. I do think it would go well with the yoghurt sauce too. Often if I don't have time I just stir a little harissa into some yoghurt to make a sauce for meals like this.

      Reply
    4. Cat | Curly's Cooking

      September 04, 2018 at 2:20 pm

      5 stars
      I've not tried freekeh before and I must admit I am a bit behind when it comes to trying grains, but this looks really tasty. I do love a pork meatball!

      Reply
      • Jacqueline A Bellefontaine

        September 04, 2018 at 4:04 pm

        I really recommend you do, its so tasty like rice but more interesting and just as easy.

        Reply
    5. David

      September 01, 2018 at 2:54 pm

      I have to look for freekeh - because this sounds amazing. I love hearty meals like this.

      Apologies... I have all the ingredients to make the fudge and report back, but work has completely taken over my life! Soon, though!

      Reply
      • Jacqueline A Bellefontaine

        September 01, 2018 at 9:02 pm

        Do its really nice I'm sure i will be adding more recipes that use it tomorrow Im going to make a salad with it

        Reply

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    Jacqueline Bellefontaine.

    Hello I'm Jacqui
    I believe that great tasting home cooking need not be hard work, so I like to write and cook recipes that are as easy as they can be. But I won't compromise on taste!

    This blog is written and photographed by me at home and it's all about my favourite recipes, that I make for family, for friends and for fun. I hope you like them too.

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