North African Lamb Kaftas Food

SPICED LAMB KOFTAS WITH MINT & TOMATO SALAD

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine the lamb mince, preserved lemon, olives, parsley, ras el hanout and some seasoning - don't be too generous with the salt, as the preserved lemon and olives are both quite salty. Divide the mixture into 4 and shape each piece around a long skewer. Chill for 30 mins.
• Combine the ingredients for the salad with some seasoning and set aside. Heat the grill to high. Rub the oil over the koftas and wrap a little foil around the bottom of each skewer if you're using wooden ones. Place on a baking tray and grill for about 7 mins each side until nicely browned, checking the meat is cooked through to the centre. Serve with the tomato salad, a dollop of yogurt and some couscous or in wraps, if you like.

ORANGE MINTED YOGURT SAUCE FOR LAMB KAFTAS

Steps:

• Mix yogurt, cucumber, mint and rose water in a food processor until smooth.
• Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.

NORTH AFRICAN LAMB STEW

Steps:

• Heat oil in a 5-liter or larger pressure cooker over medium-high heat.
• Add lamb cubes in batches to avoid overcrowding; brown on all sides, about 5 minutes per batch.
• Transfer browned lamb to plate with slotted spoon.
• Add onion and garlic to heated fat; saute to soften slightly, 2 to 3 minutes.
• Return lamb to pot and stir in remaining ingredients, including wine and salt and pepper to taste.
• Stir slightly while the mixture comes to the boil to avoid scorching.
• Place the lid on the cooker and bring pressure to the second red ring.
• Adjust the heat to maintain pressure at the second red ring and cook for 15 minutes.
• Use Natural Release method. (10 to 15 minutes extra).
• When the pressure has dropped, test the meat.
• It should be fork-tender.
• If not, stir the mixture to prevent scorching, replace the lid when the mixture begins to boil, and cook on the second red ring another 5 minutes longer.
• Use quick-release (finger-tip release) method.
• Garnish with mint leaves and serve with rice.

LAMB AND SUMAC KOFTAS

Steps:

• Combine all ingredients in a large bowl and mix thoroughly by hand. The soy sauce is used in place of salt, apparently it doesn't dry the meat out like salt would and adds extra flavour (tip from the Chris Evans show on BBC Radio 2).
• Cover with cling film and place in the fridge for at least an hour.
• Take a handful of the mix, place on wooden skewers and mould to shape.
• Grill/BBQ turning gently every couple of minutes until browned and cooked through.

CHERMOULA

Steps:

• Pound all ingredients together in a large mortar and pestle or buzz in a food processor. You want a rough-textured paste. Note: I use all the coriander stems.
• Chermoula will keep several days in the fridge.

NORTH AFRICAN LAMB SAUSAGES MERGUEZ

Steps:

• Mix ground lamb, salt, cumin, pepper, paprika, cayenne, cinnamon, pomegranate juice, garlic, ginger, and thyme together.
• Can be placed in lamb casings.

AFRICAN LAMB COUSCOUS FROM MAURITANIA

Steps:

• In a large stew pot that has a tight fitting lid, brown the meat by stirring quickly in hot oil or butter. Reduce heat and sauté the onions and garlic until golden. Add vegetables, stirring for 2 to 3 minutes. Cover with about 2 cups water, put the lid on the pot, and simmer until vegetables are tender and meat is cooked. Mix the dates, raisins, and chickpeas into the dry couscous, and steam. Serve by ladling the stew over couscous on individual plates. Serves 6 to 8.
• COUSCOUS: There are several ways of steaming and softening this form of semolina wheat that is a base for north African stews. The preferred method is to use a couscousier.
• If you don't have a couscousier here is a method. Get dry couscous grain in an ethnic or gourmet grocery or a natural foods store. Allow 2 oz. per person for a meal.
• Pour the couscous into a large bowl and cover it with cold Iwater. Stir, and let it sit for about 10 minutes. Then scrape the damp grain out onto a clean absorbent cloth such as a linen dish towel. (If all the water hasn't been soaked up, you should drain it off first.) Leave the grain to swell for 15 minutes. If you prefer, you can leave the grains in the bowl, but as they are more confined, they may not become quite as fluffy.
• Now you must find a way to steam the couscous. A colander that will sit part way down into a pot, without sinking to the bottom, can become a homemade couscousier. But if your colander, like most, has holes too large to prevent the couscous grains from falling through, you must line it with a clean, porous cloth (cheesecloth) When everything is ready, bring water in the pot to a boil, and steam the couscous, uncovered, for 20 minutes.
• Now the couscous must swell and steam a second time, but with slight variations. Once again, put it into a bowl or onto the towel. Sprinkle cold water over it-perhaps half a cup for every pound of couscous-and rub grains between your fingers to break up any lumps that have formed. After it has sat for 10 minutes, rub some oil onto your hands and rework the grains with your fingers. (For special occasions, use butter to grease and separate the grains.).
• Finely, steam the couscous for 25 more minutes, and serve hot.
• There is nothing complicated about this process, but it does take some time.
• If it sounds too ambitious, try the packaged, pre-cooked grain that is widely available where couscous is sold and follow the simple directions on the box. True connoisseurs argue, no doubt that you will never know what real couscous tastes like unless you steam your own. The "instant" kind is acceptable though.
• The Africa News Cookbook.

NORTH AFRICAN LAMB KAFTAS

Steps:

• Mix lamb, onion, poppy seeds, cumin, salt, cinnamon and cayenne in large bowl.
• Add egg and mix well.
• Form lamb mixture into a 3 x 1/2 inch long rolls.
• Repeat with remaining lamb mixture to make about 12 kaftas.
• Heat 2 tablespoons of the oil in large skillet on medium heat and add 1/2 of the kaftas.
• Cook kaftas for 7 minutes or until cooked through and browned on all sides.
• Drain on paper towels.
• Repeat with remaining kaftas, adding remaining 1 tablespoon oil as needed.
• To serve kaftas, carefully slide a wooden skewer lengthwise through center of each kafta.
• Serve with Dipping Sauce.