Kefta Mkaouara Moroccan Meatball Tagine Food

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 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.