Beef Kebabs with Cherry Sauce

Ingredients

• 1 kilo finely ground beef
• Seasonings for the meat: black pepper + paprika, sweet red pepper + seven-spice blend + ground cinnamon + ground cumin
• Salt
• Half a bunch fresh cilantro
• 1 onion, grated
• 3 cloves garlic, crushed
• For the cherry sauce:
• 2 cups whole fresh or frozen cherries
• Juice of 1 lemon
• 1 tablespoon pomegranate molasses
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 1 1/2 cups water
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch

Method

1. We start by preparing the meat... add the seasoning over the meat and knead it well.
2. Add the crushed garlic and grated onion and knead them into the meat, then add the freshly chopped cilantro.
3. Mix the ingredients well with the meat and shape into fingers or patties as desired.
4. Place a wide skillet over medium heat and add a little vegetable oil, then fry the meat balls or fingers, being careful to keep their shape... once the meat is browned on the outside, reduce the heat and cover the pan to make sure the meat patties are cooked through on the inside... about 10 minutes.
   Timers: 10 min
5. Meanwhile, start preparing the cherry sauce.
6. Place 1 1/2 cups of the cherries in an electric blender... set aside the remaining 1/2 cup of cherries for later use.
7. Add the water mixed with the cornstarch over the cherries and blend well, then add the lemon juice and pomegranate molasses.
8. Meanwhile, sauté the finely chopped onion in a skillet over heat with a little oil... once the onion is browned, add the cherry mixture.
9. Let the cherry sauce simmer over low heat and taste it, then add the whole cherries we set aside... you may need to add salt, pomegranate molasses, or water to taste.
10. When the cherry mixture boils and the sauce starts to thicken, add the cooked meat balls.
11. Let the meat absorb the flavor of the cherry sauce and cook well for about 5 minutes.
    Timers: 5 min
12. Serve the meat with cherries either in a wide dish lined with Arabic bread and topped with the meat and sauce, or without the bread, and garnish as desired with chopped fresh cilantro or parsley and fried nuts if you like.
13. Also from the delicious vegan kibbeh recipes, here is Easy Potato Kibbeh