HERB MEATBALLS

For a quick throw it together supper, you can't go wrong with this.  I've used the meatballs with a tomato sauce and pasta but rice is also good or in sub rolls or pitta bread with salad.

I've used some ready made breadcrumbs from Sainsbury's that have been pimped up with a range of different flavours.  I've gone for Pistachio & Herb.  They're really handy to have in and can be added to home made stuffing or topping meat and fish, I've also used their Moroccan Inspired Breadcrumbs on a spicy cassoulet.

500g Minced Lamb

50g Pistachio & Herb Breadcrumbs

1 Egg

1 tbsp Oil

1 Onion chopped

1 Courgette grated

1 Yellow Pepper sliced

1 Garlic Clove crushed

400g Tin Chopped Tomatoes

1 tsp Rosemary chopped

150ml Water

Salt & Pepper to season

Combine the mince, breadcrumbs and egg and form into meatballs.  Place on a baking tray lined with parchment and bake for 20 minutes at 180C.

While the meatballs are cooking, heat the oil in a pan and cook the onions till soft then add the courgette, peppers and garlic till they start to brown.  Now add the tomatoes, rosemary and water.  Season with salt and pepper and bring to the boil then turn the heat down and leave to simmer for 20 minutes.

When the meatballs are cooked, add them to the pan and continue simmering with the sauce for a further 10 minutes.

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.