Ras Asfour — Tiny Bekaa Meatballs in Tomato Sauce
Tiny lamb meatballs — no bigger than a sparrow's head, hence the name — simmered in a simple tomato sauce spiced with cinnamon and allspice. The Bekaa children's dish that adults refuse to stop eating.
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All 214 Sofra recipes are free in the app. This one includes step-by-step English voice narration, hands-free Cooking Mode, and the original oud music by Charbel Rouhana.
Get Sofra on Google Play →Ingredients
- 500 g ground lamb
- 1 small, finely grated yellow onion
- 40 g fresh breadcrumbs
- 1 whole egg
- 1.5 tsp seven-spice blend
- 1 tsp salt
- 3 tbsp vegetable oil
- 800 g canned whole tomatoes
- 3 cloves, minced garlic cloves
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tsp sugar
Instructions
- Combine ground lamb, grated onion, breadcrumbs, egg, seven-spice, and salt. Mix well but do not over-knead — these should be tender, not dense.
- Roll the mixture into balls exactly the size of a large marble — roughly 2–2.5 cm diameter. You should get about 60–70 meatballs.
- Heat vegetable oil in a wide, shallow pan over medium-high heat. Brown the meatballs in batches, rolling them to color all sides. Do not crowd the pan. Set browned meatballs aside.
- In the same pan, fry the garlic for 30 seconds. Add tomato paste and cook 1 minute until darkened.
- Add the canned tomatoes, crushing them by hand as they go in. Add cinnamon and sugar.
- Simmer the sauce 10 minutes until slightly reduced. Season with salt.
- Return all the meatballs to the sauce. Cover and simmer on low heat for 20 minutes.
- Serve over Lebanese rice or with flatbread.
Hear every step read aloud
Step-by-step voice narration guides you hands-free. Faten's Idlib recipes carry her own Syrian-Arabic narration. Charbel Rouhana's original oud plays during Cooking Mode.
Get Sofra on Google Play →Frequently Asked Questions
What is Ras Asfour — Tiny Bekaa Meatballs in Tomato Sauce?
Tiny lamb meatballs — no bigger than a sparrow's head, hence the name — simmered in a simple tomato sauce spiced with cinnamon and allspice. The Bekaa children's dish that adults refuse to stop eating.
Where is Ras Asfour — Tiny Bekaa Meatballs in Tomato Sauce from?
Ras Asfour — Tiny Bekaa Meatballs in Tomato Sauce comes from Lebanese Bekaa. Sofra documents this recipe as part of its 214-recipe Lebanese and Syrian heritage collection, including 49 dishes from Idlib province.
Is Ras Asfour — Tiny Bekaa Meatballs in Tomato Sauce vegetarian?
No — as written, Ras Asfour — Tiny Bekaa Meatballs in Tomato Sauce includes meat, fish, or meat-based stock, so it is not vegetarian. See the ingredient list for the specific ingredients used.
What can I use instead of seven-spice blend in Ras Asfour — Tiny Bekaa Meatballs in Tomato Sauce?
The seven-spice blend called for here is part of the traditional recipe and gives Ras Asfour — Tiny Bekaa Meatballs in Tomato Sauce its authentic character, so keep it if you can. If you must substitute, choose the closest equivalent you have on hand and adjust to taste — the dish will shift slightly from the traditional version but still work. The Sofra app lists the full ingredient set and sourcing notes.
What do I serve with Ras Asfour — Tiny Bekaa Meatballs in Tomato Sauce?
In a Lebanese mains spread, Ras Asfour — Tiny Bekaa Meatballs in Tomato Sauce is typically served with rice or warm flatbread, a simple salad such as fattoush or tabbouleh, and pickles or yogurt on the side.
Can I make Ras Asfour — Tiny Bekaa Meatballs in Tomato Sauce ahead, and how do I store leftovers?
Yes — leftovers keep well stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for a few days. Reheat gently (or bring to room temperature for cold dishes) and taste to adjust seasoning before serving. Dishes with fresh herbs or dressing are freshest the day they are made.