Ingredients

• 1/2 cup uncooked basmati rice
• 1/4 cup chopped almonds
• 2 pound 90-percent-lean ground bison
• 1/4 cup chopped raisins
• 1/4 cup plus 1 tablespoons chopped flat-leaf parsley, divided
• 3 tablespoons chopped mint, divided, plus whole leaves for garnish
• 2 teaspoons coarse salt
• 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
• 1 cup nonfat plain yogurt
• 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
• 1 stem saffron (optional)
• 1 1/2 cups low-sodium marinara sauce
• 24 small brioche buns (1 1/2-inch diameter)

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Instructions

1. Heat oven to 450°F. Cook rice as directed on package. In a small skillet over low heat, toast almonds until golden, 8 minutes. In a bowl using hands, mix bison, rice, almonds, raisins, 1/4 cup parsley, 2 tablespoons mint, salt and pepper. Form into 24 balls, 1 1/2 inches each. Grease a 9" x 13" baking dish with 2 tablespoons olive oil; arrange meatballs in dish, touching. Bake until firm and slightly pink in center, 15 minutes. In a bowl, combine yogurt, lemon juice, 1 tablespoon water, remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil, parsley, mint; saffron (if desired), and salt and pepper to taste. In a microwave-safe bowl, heat marinara sauce. Top each brioche bun with 2 tablespoons marinara sauce, meatball, 1/2 tablespoon yogurt sauce and a mint leaf.