Healthy WW North African Meatball Stew – 5 SmartPoints

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This North African Meatball Stew is super easy to make and absolutely delicious.

I found this incredible recipe a few years back in my Weight Watchers Ready, Set, Go Cookbook {Amazon}.

Serve it on top of rice or couscous with a side of biscuits and life is good!

North African Meatball Stew

Healthy WW North African Meatball Stew - 5 SmartPoints

North African Meatball Stew - 5 Weight Watchers Points Plus Value

If you’re like me, even if you’re trying to eat healthy, you want to eat something substantial that’s going to stick to your ribs.

A healthy lifestyle always includes a good amount of fruits, veggies and drinking lots of water.

However, for me at least, in order to stick to a healthy eating regimen, I have to include meals that are satisfying.

Doing this goes a long way in being able to maintain a healthy lifestyle for the long term.

Obviously, I love the fact that this is a dinner recipe for only 5 WW SmartPoints.

Healthy WW North African Meatball Stew - 5 SmartPoints

According to Wikipedia.org, “North Africa, the northernmost part of Africa along the Mediterranean Sea includes the nations of Algeria, Libya, Morocco, and Tunisia.

Over several centuries traders, travelers, invaders, migrants and immigrants all have influenced the cuisine of North Africa.”

Needless to say, I’ve always loved Mediterranean influenced cuisine, so I knew I would love this dish.

In addition to the cookbook mentioned above, The Food of Morocco {Amazon}, contains more deliciously mouthwatering North African recipes, such as:

  • Berber Skillet Bread
  • Spiced Harira
  • Savory Stuffed Lamb with Couscous & Dates 

List of ingredients

North African Meatball Stew Recipe

Healthy WW North African Meatball Stew - 5 SmartPoints

Healthy WW North African Meatball Stew – 5 SmartPoints

Housewives of Frederick County
A delicious, Mediterranean inspired North African dish with only 5 WW SmartPoints per serving.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Course Dinner
Cuisine Mediterranean, north african
Servings 4 Servings
Calories 217 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • - 1 lb ground lean beef, 5% fat or less
  • - 2 T. finely choped fresh cilantro
  • - 2 t. ground cumin
  • - 1/2 t. salt
  • - 1/4 t. black pepper
  • - 2 t. olive oil
  • - 1 onion, chopped
  • - 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • - 1 c. diced tomatoes, I used canned
  • - 3/4 c. water
  • - 3 T. tomato paste
  • - 2 T. lemon juice, I used bottled
  • - 2 T. chopped fresh mint

Instructions
 

  • Mix together beef, cilantro, 1 teaspoon of cumin, 1/4 teaspoon of salt, and 1/8 teaspoon of pepper in large bowl just until well combined. With damp hands, shape mixture into 24 (1 inch) meatballs.
  • Heat oil in large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add onion and cook, stirring, until softened, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Stir in tomatoes, water, tomato paste, and remaining 1 teaspoon cumin, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/8 teaspoon pepper; bring to boil.
  • Add meatballs to skillet. Reduce heat and simmer, covered, until meatballs are cooked through and sauce is thickened, about 30 minutes. Stir in lemon juice and sprinkle with mint.

Notes

5 WW SmartPoints
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Healthy WW North African Meatball Stew - 5 SmartPoints

Substitute Rice for Couscous

The recipe suggests that the meatballs be served over top of 2/3 of a cup of cooked whole wheat couscous which would add an additional 3 SmartPoints.

Couscous is a very common side dish in North African cuisine and I love me some couscous!

BUT, since my son won’t touch couscous, I opted to serve it over some jasmine rice.

Healthy WW North African Meatball Stew - 5 SmartPoints

The Recipe Results

It turned out amazingly good!

We all absolutely love the Mediterranean taste of it!

I have to say the cumin and mint, which are common North African cuisine staples, really made the dish!

Healthy WW North African Meatball Stew - 5 SmartPoints

What to Serve with North African Meatball Stew

This dish would be really good served with some steamed carrots or oven roasted zucchini.

Bottom line is just because you might be on a diet, that doesn’t mean you can’t step outside of your comfort zone.

Why not try some different types of dishes from around this beautiful Earth we live on!

I’m so glad that I did!

Here are a few more delicious international recipes:

Asian Chicken Salad – WW SmartPoints

Middle Eastern Turkey Kebabs & Cucumber Yogurt Dip – WW SmartPoints

Chicken Enchilada Recipe

Pam
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