Kofta Mishmisheya (Lamb Meatballs in Apricot Sauce)

Kofta Mishmisheya (Lamb Meatballs in Apricot Sauce)
Ingredients

# 1 large onion , chopped
# 3-4 tablespoons vegetable oil
# 1 1/2 lbs ground lamb
# 1 teaspoon dried lime powder (available at Indian groceries)
# 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
# 1/4 teaspoon allspice
# salt and pepper
# 3-4 tablespoons tomato paste
# 7 ounces dried apricots , soaked in water for 1/2 hr. (use the tart, not sweetened variety)
# 3-4 tablespoons currants or raisins
# 1 lemon, juice of
# 1 teaspoon sugar

Directions

1. In a large frying pan, fry the onion in oil until golden.
2. with your hands, work the meat into a paste with the dried lime, cloves, allspice, 3/4 tsp salt, and pepper, and roll into walnut-sized balls.
3. Add them to the pan and cook, turning them to brown all over.
4. Stir in the tomato paste, add the drained apricots and the currants or raisins, and cover with water.
5. Simmer about 25 minutes.
6. Crush the apricots a bit with a fork, add lemon juice and sugar and a little salt and pepper, and simmer for another 20 minutes.
7. Serve over rice.