Monday 9 April 2012

MOROCCAN MEATBALL STEW


I've had a real craving for lamb recently, it's my favourite meat and I suppose quite traditional at this time of year.  In fact, my local supermarket ran out of mint sauce this week, luckily I had an emergency pot stashed away - am I the only person that does that?  Anyway, This lamb recipe uses mince and Harissa paste.  Most supermarket sell this spice mix now, usually in their fancy spices/sauces section.

Harissa is a chili paste used in North Africa.  The main ingredients are a mix of chili peppers along with garlic, coriander and caraway.  It is a standard ingredient in food from Morocco and the inspiration for this dish.

I’ve also added cinnamon, cumin and smoked paprika which all have an earthiness that completments the harissa adding to the moroccan influence.

Serves 4

500g Lamb Mince
1 Onion Chopped
1 tsp Ground Cumin
1/2 tsp Smoked Paprika
Pinch Ground Cloves
1 Large Bunch Coriander Chopped 
1 Egg
Vegetable Oil
2tbsp Harrisa Paste
400g tin Chopped Tomatoes
4 Tomatoes Chopped
400ml Chicken Stock
1 Cinnamon Stick


Using your hands mix the lamb, onion, cumin, paprika, cloves,  half the coriander leaves and egg till well combined.

Next form the meat into walnut sized meatballs - I made about 20, then brown them in a pan with a little oil.

Remove them from the pan and add the harissa.  Cook the paste for a minute then add the tomatoes, stock and cinnamon.  If you snap the cinnamon stick in half it helps to release the flavour.

Simmer the sauce for 15 minutes then return the meatballs  and simmer for a further 20 minutes until cooked.

To finish, stir through the rest of the coriander.

I have served the stew with pasta but steamed cous cous, rice or mashed potato all work well with the thick rich sauce.

10 comments:

  1. So gonna make this! Sounds lovely!

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  3. Mike, you're going to love it and it's so easy x

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  4. the combination of spices sounds wonderful. i've never used harissa paste before, but i'd really like to try this recipe.

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  5. I hope you do, let me know what you think x

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  6. This looks so tasty and the spice combination sounds great! Where do you buy your harissa paste?

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  7. Hi B, I know that both Sainsbury's and Tesco sell Harrisa Paste. Tesco has it in their speciality food section.

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  8. Thanks Yasmin! I will look out for it!

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  9. This looks, and reads, extremely appetising. I am not too keen on meat in general but I do occasionally like good lamb, especially when paired with such lovely spices as smoked paprika and cinnamon. I can imagine little tiny meatballs in a Moroccan inspired tomato soup, with some chickpeas added for fibre. Great midweek dish, this. Thanks for sharing it.

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  10. Kellie, I like that idea - will be giving it a go x

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