Moroccan Stuffing Food

MOROCCAN MERGUEZ STUFFING

Steps:

• For the sausage: Place the lamb, harissa, ginger, coriander, salt, cinnamon, pepper, sumac, turmeric and garlic in the bowl of a stand mixer. Mix on medium speed for 2 minutes, then turn out onto a sheet of plastic wrap and form into a small, dense log. Wrap well and refrigerate for at least 24 or up to 72 hours.
• For the stuffing: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Grease a large casserole dish (such as a 9-by-13-inch or equivalent oval) with olive oil; set aside. Put the bread cubes in a very large bowl.
• Place a large saute pan over high heat. Break the sausage meat into marble-sized pieces and brown on all sides in batches; remove and add to the bowl, letting the bread soak up any grease.
• Once all the sausage is browned, reduce heat to medium-high (do not drain the grease from the pan). Add the sweet potatoes and cook, stirring occasionally, until they begin to brown, 4 minutes. Add the onions and peppers and continue to cook, stirring occasionally, another 4 minutes, then add garlic and walnuts, if using, and cook until fragrant, about 3 minutes. Pour the vegetables on top of the bread and sausage.
• Whisk the eggs and turkey stock together in a large bowl, then add the turmeric, coriander, paprika, salt, cayenne, if using, cinnamon, cumin, ginger, black pepper and 2 tablespoons of harissa. Pour half evenly over the stuffing mixture and toss well; when all the liquid has been absorbed, add the chopped parsley and remaining stock and continue tossing until well combined. Taste for seasoning, adding more harissa and spices as you'd like.
• Pour the stuffing into the prepared casserole dish, spreading out evenly, then cover with aluminum foil and bake for 40 minutes. Remove the foil and bake until brown on top, an additional 10 minutes. Allow to rest for 10 minutes, then serve warm.

MOROCCAN-STYLE STUFFED ACORN SQUASH

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Arrange squash halves cut side down on a baking sheet. Bake 30 minutes, or until tender. Dissolve the sugar in the melted butter. Brush squash with the butter mixture, and keep squash warm while preparing the stuffing.
• Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Stir in the garlic, celery, and carrots, and cook 5 minutes. Mix in the garbanzo beans and raisins. Season with cumin, salt, and pepper, and continue to cook and stir until vegetables are tender.
• Pour the chicken broth into the skillet, and mix in the couscous. Cover skillet, and turn off heat. Allow couscous to absorb liquid for 5 minutes. Stuff squash halves with the skillet mixture to serve.

MOROCCAN STUFFING

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat; add the onion, mushrooms, almonds, raisins, salt and ginger. Saute for 6 to 8 minutes until the onion and mushrooms are tender.
• Add the chicken broth and bring to a boil. Remove from the heat and add the stuffing cubes; mix well.
• Place into a 1-quart baking dish that has been coated with nonstick vegetable spray; cover, and bake for 30 minutes until the center is firm.

STUFFED LEG OF LAMB, MIDDLE EASTERN STYLE

Steps:

• Marinade: In a small bowl, mix together 1/4 cup of freshly squeezed lemon juice, 1/2 cup olive oil, 1 teaspoon zaatar mix and 3 cloves of garlic, crushed and minced. Season the trimmed leg of lamb with salt and pepper, to taste, and put it into a resealable plastic bag. Pour in the marinade and seal the bag. Refrigerate and let sit as long as you can, even overnight.
• Light the grill, putting the coals all on 1 side.
• Stuffing: Put the remaining garlic cloves in a food processor and pulse until coarsely chopped. Add the feta and pulse just to break it up, then slowly drizzle in just enough olive oil so the consistency is just barely creamy but not too loose (about 1/4 cup), stopping to scrape down the sides. Add the blanched spinach, 1 tablespoon of the zaatar spice mix, 1 tablespoon of lemon juice, 1 teaspoon salt and a little black pepper, and mix until blended but still a little chunky.
• Take the lamb out of the marinade and pat it dry with paper towels. Sprinkle the inside with lemon zest and fresh thyme, then add a layer of arugula leaves. Carefully spread stuffing over the inside of leg, being careful not to spread it all the way to the edge. Grab the end closest to you and slowly roll the leg up. Tie well with butchers twine. Liberally sprinkle the outside of the lamb with shawarma spice.
• Put the lamb directly over the coals on the hot side of the grill and sear it quickly, until the outside develops a nice crust, maybe 2 minutes per side. Then move the lamb away from the coals, cover the grill and let it cook for 45 minutes or so, checking after 30 minutes and turning several times. When the lamb is done, take it off the grill, put it on a cutting board and let it rest for about 10 minutes. To serve, cut in 1 1/2-inch thick slices, and arrange on a serving platter, making sure to remove any pieces of twine.

MOROCCAN STUFFED CHICKEN

Steps:

• Put the couscous and spice mix in a small heatproof bowl and pour over 50ml hot water. Cover and set aside for 5 mins. Fluff the grains up with a fork, then stir in the apricots, pine nuts and parsley. Season with salt and pepper.
• Heat oven to 190C/170C fan/gas 5. Make a large slit down one side of each chicken breast to form a pocket. Stuff the couscous mixture inside, then sit the chicken in a small roasting tin. Brush over the oil and roast for 20 mins until cooked through. Serve with roasted baby new potatoes and a crisp green salad.