Moroccan Inspired Lamb Bolognese Food

SPICY LAMB BOLOGNESE

Steps:

• Heat a medium Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the butter and oil and warm until the butter is melted. Add the carrots, celery, onions and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Cook, stirring often, until the vegetables are soft but have no color, about 6 minutes. Add the beef and lamb and cook, breaking apart the meat with a wooden spoon, until the meat is cooked through and no longer pink, about 5 minutes. Stir the tomato paste, chili paste, red pepper flakes and garlic into the meat mixture. Cook the tomato paste, stirring often, about 2 minutes. Add the milk. Bring to a simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, until the milk is almost entirely evaporated, about 20 minutes.
• Add the wine, bay leaf, Parmesan rind, tomatoes and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Bring to a simmer and reduce the heat to low to just maintain a gentle simmer. Simmer the sauce, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking, 1 1/2 to 2 hours. Skim the oil from the surface.
• Spoon the sauce over the Creamy Polenta with Spinach, reserving any extra to serve on the side. Serve with the Parmesan sprinkled over the top and a drizzle of olive oil.
• In a Dutch oven, bring the chicken broth, oil, garlic and 1 1/2 cups water to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce the heat to medium low and whisk in the polenta. Season with 1/2 teaspoon salt and cook, stirring occasionally with a wooden spoon, about 10 minutes. Stir in the Parmesan, mascarpone, pecorino and butter. Cook, stirring often, about 5 minutes. Fold in the spinach and cook until wilted, about 5 minutes longer. Add 1/4 cup water if the mixture gets too thick.
• Pour the polenta onto a large board or platter. Serve with grated Parmesan over the top.

MOROCCAN-INSPIRED LAMB "BOLOGNESE"

Steps:

• Brown the lamb in olive oil, drain and set aside. In the same pan, add more oil and saute the onions, celery and carrots for 5 minutes. Add the minced garlic and the cumin, corriander and red pepper flakes. Saute for 2 minutes. Add mushrooms, saute 5 minutes. Add Marsala and scrape browned bits on the bottom of the pan. Add tomatoes, tomato paste and brown sugar. Add the browned meat back in, stir and simmer for an hour. Season to taste and serve over pasta with parmesan at the table.

MOROCCAN-STYLE BARBECUED LEG OF LAMB

Steps:

• Mix the butter and oil in a bowl, then stir in the spices, thyme, garlic, lemon zest and juice. Add the harissa, 1 tsp salt and plenty of freshly ground black pepper, and mix well.
• Put the butterflied lamb (see step-by-step guide) in a large shallow dish and spoon over the marinade. Using your hands, rub it all over the meat. Cover loosely with foil or cling film and leave to marinate for at least 2 hrs, or overnight in the fridge.
• Light the barbecue, adding plenty of coals. When it is ready, add the lamb, fat-side down, and cook on a fairly high heat for 5 mins until well browned. Turn over and cook for another 5 mins to brown the other side.
• Move the coals to the sides of the barbecue to reduce the heat under the meat and cook more gently for 30-40 mins, turning occasionally. This timing will give you pink meat.
• Remove the meat to a large board and cover tightly with foil. Leave to rest for 10-15 mins.
• For the sauce, fold the harissa, a little salt and the coriander into the yogurt. Cut the lamb into thick slices and serve with the sauce and couscous, if you like.

MOROCCAN-STYLE LAMB BURGERS

Steps:

• Blend the onion, ginger, garlic and fresh coriander in a food processor until finely chopped. Add the spices, apricots, lamb and seasoning. Blend until slightly chunky.
• Shape the lamb mixture into six burgers. Cook under a medium-hot grill for 4-5 mins each side until cooked through.
• Serve in wholemeal buns with the lettuce, tomato, sliced red onion and mayo.

SLOW COOKER MOROCCAN LAMB STEW

Steps:

• Set the slow cooker to low. Heat 1 tbsp oil in a pan and brown the lamb in batches, transferring to the slow cooker as you go. Add the remaining oil and the onions to the pan and cook for 8-10 mins until softened. Tip in the garlic and ginger and stir for 1-2 mins, then add the spices, preserved lemon and tomato purée. Warm through, then tip into the slow cooker. Swirl some water around the pan, then pour into the slow cooker along with the stock. Season, cover and cook for 6-8 hrs.
• Once the meat is really tender, turn the heat up to high. Add the honey, lemon and olives and cook for 20-30 mins. Top with the herbs and serve with couscous or rice.

MOROCCAN LAMB

Steps:

• Heat a large, non-stick frying pan. Cook the lamb well on all sides without adding extra oil. Tip in the spices, then fry for 1 min more until aromatic.
• Pour in the chopped tomatoes and parsley, bring to the boil, then simmer gently, with a lid on, for 30 mins or until the lamb is tender. Serve sprinkled with more parsley.