Meatball Tomato Sauce Moroccan Tagine Recipes

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 SARDINE MEATBALL TAJINE

Steps:

• Before you start cooking it's easiest to make the meatball mix first. You will want to ensure the sardines are as clean as possible; removing all bones and skin. It's a bit easier to do this if you use larger fresh sardines. See the notes section on how to use tinned sardines instead. After the fish has been cleaned, add the meat, garlic, cumin, paprika, parsley, cilantro and lemon juice to a food processor. Turn on low power to combine all of the ingredients until it's the consistency of a paste. If you are using the rice, mix it in at this point with a spoon. Make the sardine paste into meatballs the size you'd like; typically they are slightly smaller than a golf ball. In the bottom of a tajine or in a skillet add the olive oil, garlic, and grated tomato flesh. Heat until it begins to bubble and add the remaining ingredients. Allow to cook on low heat. Add the meatballs to the tomato sauce and cover the tajine or skillet. Allow to cook for 30-45 minutes on low heat until the meatballs are cooked all the way through. Serve hot with bread for scooping up the dish. You can also prepare a roast green pepper (either bell pepper or hot pepper), remove the blackened part of the skin and then cut into thin ribbons to places on top of the sardines for an added flavor.

KEFTA MKAOUARA (MOROCCAN MEATBALL TAGINE)

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a large skillet with a lid (preferably cast iron) (or a tagine with a heat diffuser*) over medium high heat. Add the onions and sauté until softened, 2-3 minutes. Add the garlic and sauté for 1 minute. Add the remaining sauce ingredients and bring the mixture to a simmer. Reduce the heat to medium low and simmer, covered, for 10-15 minutes while you prepare the meatballs. (Taste the sauce and adjust salt to your taste preference, if necessary.)
• Mix all the Kefta ingredients in a large bowl, mixing with your hands until just combined. Scoop about 1 Tbsp of meat mixture and shape it into a small, 1 inch, ball. Continue until all the meat has been shaped.
• Nestle meatballs in the sauce.** Cover the pan and cook for 30-35 minutes.
• Remove lid and, with large spoon, make 4 deep wells in sauce amidst the meatballs. Crack an egg into each well. Return the lid and cook for an additional 10-15 minutes until egg whites are set.
• Serve the dish immediately with flatbread or rice.

MOROCCAN MEATBALLS IN TOMATO SAUCE

Steps:

• Make Meatballs: Place lamb in a large bowl. Measure in 1 1/2 tsp paprika, 1 tsp cumin, half the chopped parsley, and 1 tsp salt. Mix to incorporate seasonings through meat. Roll meat into 1 inch balls and set aside.
• Make the Sauce: Turn on food processor and drop garlic through feed tube. Let machine run until garlic is chopped, then stop. Remove lid and scrape down sides of the bowl. Add teh drained toamtoes, olive oil, tomato paste, and onion. Add remaining 1 1/2 tsp paprika, 1 tsp cumin, 1/2 tsp salt, and remaining parsley. Process until nearly smooth. Scrape into a pan or deep skillet that is 10 inches across. Set over medium heat and bring to a boil. Cook 2-4 minutes and then remove from heat.
• Nestle meatballs into sauce in a single layer. Swirl pan gently to ensure that meatballs are covered with sauce. Set over medium heat with lid slightly ajar and cook 10-12 minutes, until meatballs are cooked through. Taste and add more salt if necessary. If sauce is very thick, add a bit of water. Serve.

MEATBALL & TOMATO SAUCE (MOROCCAN TAGINE)

Steps:

• Mix the onion, parsley, spices, & beef together. Form into 1 inch balls, flatten & then brown in oil. When done, remove from the heat & cover.
• Drain about half the juice from the diced tomatoes & place into a sauce pan. Add the tomato sauce, onion, garlic, parsley, olive oil & spices. Simmer, uncovered for 20 minutes or until the sauce has thickened.
• Add the meatballs to the sauce & continue cooking together for another 5-10 minutes.
• Serve with Moroccan bread to soak up the sauce. It is also great served over pasta.

MOROCCAN BEEF MEATBALL TAGINE

Steps:

• For meatballs:
• Line large rimmed baking sheet with plastic wrap. Gently mix all ingredients in large bowl. Using moistened hands and scant 2 tablespoonfuls for each, roll meat mixture into 1 1/2-inch meatballs. Arrange meatballs on sheet.
• For stew:
• Heat oil in heavy large ovenproof pot over medium heat. Add onions; sauté about 15 minutes. Add garlic, cinnamon, turmeric, and saffron; stir 2 minutes. Add broth, tomatoes with juice, and raisins.
• Preheat oven to 350°F. Bring stew to simmer. Stir in carrots. Carefully add meatballs to stew; gently press into liquid to submerge. Sprinkle 1/4 cup cilantro over. Cover pot; place in oven. Bake until meatballs are cooked through and carrots are tender, about 35 minutes. Sprinkle spinach over stew. Cover and bake until spinach wilts, about 5 minutes longer. Gently stir to mix in spinach, being careful not to break meatballs. Remove cinnamon sticks. Season tagine with salt and pepper. Spoon couscous into bowls; top with tagine. Garnish with cilantro and lemons.
• Available in the Asian foods section of some supermarkets and at Asian markets.

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.