Flight-Inspired Tapas Trio: Spiced Lamb Meatballs, Fried Green Tomatoes, and Smoky Corn Salad

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-11 · Updated 2026-05-11

A flavorful trio of small plates featuring spiced lamb meatballs in a tomato sauce, crispy fried green tomatoes, and a smoky corn and black bean salad. This mediterranean-inspired quick meals (mediterranean) ready in about 60 minutes pairs ground lamb, breadcrumbs, large egg for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 520 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground lamb
• 1/4 cup breadcrumbs
• 1 large egg
• 2 minced garlic cloves
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 1 cup canned crushed tomatoes
• 3 medium, sliced 1/2 inch thick green tomatoes
• 2 cups fresh or frozen corn kernels
• 1 cup cooked black beans
• 1/2 cup diced red bell pepper
• 1/4 cup diced red onion
• 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
• 2 tbsp lime juice
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup cornmeal
• 1 cup buttermilk

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F. In a large bowl, combine 1 lb ground lamb, 1/4 cup breadcrumbs, 1 large egg, 2 minced garlic cloves, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Mix until just combined and form into 1-inch meatballs.
2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Brown the lamb meatballs on all sides for 5 minutes, then add 1 cup canned crushed tomatoes, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes until meatballs are cooked through and sauce thickens.
3. Step 3: For the fried green tomatoes, mix 1/2 cup all-purpose flour and 1/2 cup cornmeal in a shallow dish. Dip 3 medium green tomato slices into 1 cup buttermilk, then dredge in the flour-cornmeal mixture until well coated.
4. Step 4: Heat 1 cup vegetable oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Fry the tomato slices for 3-4 minutes per side until golden and crispy. Drain on paper towels.
5. Step 5: For the smoky corn salad, combine 2 cups corn kernels, 1 cup cooked black beans, 1/2 cup diced red bell pepper, 1/4 cup diced red onion, and 1/4 cup chopped cilantro in a bowl. Toss with 2 tbsp lime juice and 1 tbsp olive oil. Season with salt to taste.
6. Step 6: Plate the lamb meatballs with sauce, fried green tomatoes, and a scoop of smoky corn salad as a tapas trio perfect for sharing.