Moroccan Meatballs Kefta Tagine Recipes

MOROCCAN MEATBALLS ~ KEFTA TAGINE

Steps:

• Toast the saffron strands in a warm, but not hot, skillet for just a minute or so. Crush again.
• Soak the crushed, toasted saffron strands in the hot water and store in a small jar in the refrigerator for up to a week. Pour out 1/4 cup saffron water for use in this recipe and reserve the remaining 3/4 cup for another use (see LC Note above). For longer storage of the saffron water, quadruple the recipe quantities above, pour the saffron water into a plastic ice cube tray, and freeze into cubes. Once they are frozen, shake out the cubes and store in a freezer bag. Each cube will be equivalent to 2 tablespoons saffron water or a good pinch of dried saffron threads.
• Combine the ground lamb or beef, crème fraîche or beef suet, paprika, cumin, coriander, cinnamon, nutmeg, cayenne, salt and pepper, parsley and cilantro in a food processor and blend until a paste forms. Transfer to a bowl, cover, and refrigerate for at least 30 minute or until ready to cook.
• Shape the meat mixture into 24 olive-size balls and place on a plate. If you think you may not have seasoned the meatballs sufficiently with salt and pepper, pinch off a tiny bit of a meatball, sizzle it up in a skillet, and taste it. Season the meat mixture accordingly.
• Place an 11- or 12-inch tagine or cazuela or Dutch oven on a heat diffuser, if you have one, over medium-low heat. Add the grated onion, butter, saffron water, spices, salt, 3/4 cup of the cilantro, and hot water.
• Slowly raise the heat and bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer gently to blend the flavors, about 10 minutes.
• Add the kefta, or meatballs, to the sauce and poach, covered, for 30 minutes, turning them midway through the cooking.
• Add the lemon juice to the sauce. Taste and correct the seasoning with salt and pepper. Transfer the hot pot to a wooden surface or a folded towel placed on a serving plate and garnish with the remaining 1/4 cup cilantro.
• Spoon the kefta and sauce directly from the pot onto plates, with warm slices of toasted bread for mopping up the sauce.

MOROCCAN KEFTA TAGINE

Steps:

• Gather the ingredients.
• Peel, seed, and chop the tomatoes or, if they're very ripe, cut the tomatoes in half, seed them, and grate them .
• Mix the tomatoes with 1 finely chopped medium onion (if using), olive oil, parsley, cilantro, garlic, paprika, cumin, salt, black pepper, and bay leaf in the base of a tagine or in a large, deep skillet.
• Cover and bring to a simmer over medium-low to medium heat. (Note: If using a clay or ceramic tagine on a heat source other than gas, be sure to place a diffuser between the tagine and burner.)
• Once simmering, reduce the heat a bit and allow the sauce to simmer gently, at least 15 to 20 minutes but longer if you like, before adding the meatballs.
• Gather the ingredients.
• Combine the ground beef or lamb, onion, green pepper, parsley, cilantro, paprika, cumin, salt, cinnamon, black pepper, and cayenne pepper.
• Using your hands to knead in the spices and herbs, shape the kefta mixture into very small meatballs the size of large cherries-about 3/4-inch in diameter.
• Add the meatballs (and chile peppers, if using) to the tomato sauce, along with a little water-1/4 cup is usually sufficient-and cover.
• Cook for about 30 to 40 minutes, or until the sauce is thick.
• Add the eggs to the tagine without breaking the yolks.
• Cover and cook for an additional 7 to 10 minutes, or until the egg whites are solid and the yolks are only partially set.
• If desired, garnish with fresh parsley or cilantro, and serve immediately. Enjoy.

MOROCCAN MEATBALLS -- TAGINE KEFTA

Steps:

• Mix all the ingredients for the sauce together in the tagine, cover and let simmer gently over a medium heat for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Meanwhile, use your hands to mix the ingredients for the meatballs together and then roll the meat into small balls, about 1 inch round.
• After the tomatoes have simmered for about 15 minutes, stir the sauce and add a little water if you feel it is needed.
• Place the meatballs in the sauce.
• Do not stir but just let them sit on top of the sauce.
• Lower the heat, cover and cook for another 8-10 minutes. Uncover and let simmer another couple minutes if you feel the sauce needs thickening.
• Serve with lots of crusty bread for dipping in the sauce or over spaghetti with parmesan cheese on top.
• If you want to make these ahead of time and freeze them, leave the parsley out and place the meatballs in a rigid container like a tupperware dish before freezing.
• To reheat, thaw in the fridge (you can do this overnight) and reheat on the stovetop over medium-low until bubbly. Add chopped parsley before serving.

KEFTA TAJINE (MOROCCAN SPICED MEATBALLS W/ EGGS IN TOMATO SAUCE)

Steps:

• Use your hands to mix the meatball ingredients, and roll mixture into mini meatballs 3/4"-1" in diameter; set aside.
• In a skillet or tajine combine sauce ingredients and let mixture simmer, covered, over low heat for 5 minutes.
• Add meatballs, squash, and peas to the sauce and simmer, covered, over medium-low heat for 15 minutes.
• Pour the eggs in in a stream over everything.
• Cover and cook just long enough to cook the egg (about 3 minutes, depending on how well done you like your eggs).
• Serve warm over couscous, sprinkled with cumin or black pepper if desired.