Merguez Meatballs with Minted Yogurt Dipping Sauce

Ingredients

• Meatballs
• 1 pound ground lamb or beef
  
• 1 egg, lightly beaten
  
• ¹/₃ cup cracker meal or plain bread crumbs
  
• 2 tablespoons finely chopped shallot or onion
  
• 1 clove garlic, minced or crushed
  
• 1 tablespoon pimenton dulce (Spanish smoked paprika)
  
• 1 tablespoon ground cumin
  
• ¹/₄ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  
• 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger or ginger juice
  
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  
• 1 teaspoon harissa or 1/2 tsp. Sriracha
  
• 1 tablespoon chopped parsley
  
• 3 tablespoons chopped mint
  
• 1 tablespoon chopped cilantro
  
• 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar or sherry vinegar
  
• ³/₄ teaspoon salt
  
• ¹/₂ teaspoon black pepper
  

• Minted Yogurt Dipping Sauce
• 1 cup Greek yogurt
  
• 3 tablespoons lemon juice
  
• ¹/₄ teaspoon salt
  
• ¹/₄ teaspoon ground cumin
  
• 4 tablespoons chopped mint