North African Meat Rub Food

ROASTED LEG OF LAMB WITH NORTH AFRICAN SPICES, LEMON, AND ONIONS

Steps:

• In a spice grinder, a clean coffee grinder, or a mortar, grind the salt, oregano, rosemary, caraway, cumin, and turmeric to a fine powder. Transfer to a bowl and add the harissa and chopped garlic. Add the olive oil to make a thick paste. Make 8 or 9 deep slits all over the lamb and insert some of the spice paste, rubbing the paste all over the surface of the meat. Cover and let stand for 1 hour at room temperature or, preferably, refrigerate for at least 5 hours or overnight. Bring to room temperature before roasting.
• Preheat the oven to 450°F. Place the leg of lamb fat side down in a roasting pan that will hold the onions in one layer. Roast for 20 minutes. Mix the lemon juice and wine in a small bowl. Turn the meat and pour the lemon-wine mixture over it. (If you are roasting the lamb in a clay dish, warm the mixture first, because cold liquid can cause the clay to crack.) Reduce the oven temperature to 375°F and roast for 35 minutes, basting every 10 to 15 minutes with the pan juices. If the pan dries out, add a little more wine.
• Transfer the lamb to a plate and add the onions to the pan, tossing them well to coat them with the pan juices. Add the rosemary sprigs or sprinkle with dried rosemary, toss, place the lamb on the onions, and continue roasting, basting often, for another 30 minutes, or until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the meat reads 135°F. Transfer the meat to a heated platter, cover with a double layer of aluminum foil, and set aside. (Leave the oven on.) If the pan juices are watery, transfer most of them to a saucepan and cook briefly to reduce.
• Meanwhile, return the pan to the oven and continue baking the onions until tender, with browned edges. Turn the oven to broil. Place the lamb on the onions again and broil for 2 to 3 minutes, or until the surface is deep brown and crackling. Carve the lamb and serve, passing the pan juices in a bowl or sauceboat at the table.

NIGERIAN BEEF SUYA (SPICED GRILLED SKEWERS) RECIPE

Steps:

• For the Yajin Kuli: In a small mixing bowl, combine groundnut/peanut butter powder, ground ginger, sweet paprika, onion powder, kosher salt, garlic powder, cayenne pepper powder, ground grains of selim (if desired), cubeb pepper, and ground cloves. Whisk to mix thoroughly, about 30 seconds. Set aside.
• For the Suya: Wrap beef tightly in plastic wrap and place on a plate or small baking sheet and set in the freezer until the beef is partially frozen and firm to the touch, 15 to 30 minutes. Using a sharp chef's knife or slicing knife, slice beef against the grain into 2-inch-long, 1-inch-wide, and 1/8-inch-thick strips. (The easiest and most efficient way to do this is to start by portioning the beef into 2-inch-wide by 1-inch-thick pieces, and then slicing those pieces crosswise into 1/8-inch-thick strips.)
• Place sliced beef in large mixing bowl and drizzle peanut oil over it. Sprinkle 1/2 cup of yajin kuli over the beef and carefully toss and massage spice rub into beef until it is evenly coated. Cover, place in refrigerator, and allow beef to marinate for at least 30 minutes and up to 8 hours.
• Working with one piece of beef at a time, thread beef onto skewers, piercing each piece through twice to secure it, then bunching meat tightly together like an accordion. Continue threading beef onto skewer, making sure it's bunched tightly together, leaving no parts of the skewer exposed except for a 2-inch handle at the bottom and the pointy tip at the top. Repeat skewering process with remaining beef.
• If Using Skewer-Specific Grill Setup: Set up grill for skewers, making sure to adjust distance between bricks to the length of your skewers. Light one chimney full of charcoal. When all the charcoal is lit and covered with gray ash, pour out and spread the coals evenly in the channel between bricks.
• Place skewers directly over the hot coals, balancing them on top of the bricks, with the handles overhanging the bricks closest to you, and the tips balancing on the farther wall of bricks. Cook, turning frequently, until beef is lightly charred and a piece of beef looks cooked through when removed and cut in half, about 8 minutes. If flare-ups occur, move the skewers around as needed to get them away from the flames. Transfer to serving platter and let rest 2 to 3 minutes (see note).
• If Using Conventional Charcoal or Gas Grill: Light 1 chimney full of charcoal. When all charcoal is lit and covered with gray ash, pour out and spread coals evenly over half of coal grate. Alternatively, set half the burners of a gas grill to high heat. Set cooking grate in place, cover grill, and allow to preheat for 5 minutes. Clean and oil grilling grate.
• Place skewers on grate and cook over direct heat, turning once, until charred on both sides and a piece of beef looks cooked through when removed and cut in half, about 8 minutes. Transfer to serving platter and let rest 2 to 3 minutes.
• For Serving: Serve with reserved yajin kuli, thinly sliced red onions, tomatoes, lime halves, crisp lettuce, and coriander leaves and tender stems.

NORTH AFRICAN DRY RUB

Steps:

• Combine all ingredients.

NORTH AFRICAN MEAT RUB

Steps:

• In a spice grinder (I use a coffee grinder)grind the salt, oregano, rosemary, caraway and the turmeric to a fine powder.
• Mix this with the Harissa, garlic and the three tablespoons of olive oil.
• Transfer to a small jar and top with more olive oil so it won't dry out (always keep a thin layer on top).

SAVORY BEEF OR PORK ROAST RUB

Steps:

• Combine all seasonings together in a bowl.
• Rub over meat.
• Cover meat and refrigerate for 24-48 hours.

PATRICK'S MEAT RUB (PORK)

Steps:

• Rub the roast all over with the blend and allow it to sit for a few minutes prior to grilling or roasting the meat.
• It won't all stick to the meat. Just use whatever sticks.
• NOTE: If you only have light brown sugar, (dark brown sugar has a slightly higher molasses content), that's okay.

SAVORY MEAT RUB

Steps:

• Measure all ingredients into a small bowl.
• Blend well. (Use a pestle and mortar to get a more melded flavor.).
• If using celery salt, omit the salt listed.
• Left over rub can be stored in a sealed container for up to a year.

NORTH AFRICAN SPICE RUB

Steps:

• Mix all ingredients.
• Store in a sealed container.

FAVOURITE MEAT RUB

Steps:

• Place all ingredients in a blender and puree.
• This rub will keep in the fridge for up to 3 weeks.
• Rub over lamb beef, or chicken before cooking.
• It is great on whole legs of lamb or sirlions.
• Although I have put in the yield, I have never measured this, I just use it till it has all gone.
• Sorry- I will try to check next time.

GRILLED MOROCCAN SPICED PORK TENDERLOIN

Steps:

• In a small bowl, combine the coriander, cumin, chile powder, brown sugar, salt, cinnamon, caraway, black pepper and oil, pressing out any lumps of sugar. On a baking sheet, rub the mixture all over the pork and let sit, covered at room temperature for 1 hour or refrigerate for 4 hours or up to overnight. Return to room temperature.
• Light a grill and oil the grates. Grill the pork over moderately high heat, turning occasionally, until lightly charred and an instant read thermometer inserted into the thickest part registers 135°, about 9 minutes. Transfer to a cutting board and let sit for 10 minutes, loosely tented with foil before cutting into thick slices. Serve with warm grilled naan, haloumi and yogurt.

TRADITIONAL NORTH AFRICAN COUSCOUS (THE REAL WAY!)

Steps:

• Finely chop the onion and mince the garlic & place it in a large heavy bottomed pan with the meat or chicken, ras el hanout & a little olive oil. Fry gently to seal the meat/chicken. I use my pressure cooker pr large cast iron casserole for this.
• Chop the carrot, parsnip and courgette into 6ths. Cut the potato into 1/4's and roughly chop the swede. Chop khourchef or celery into roughly same size as carrot. (Peel the carrots, potato, parsnip and swede).
• Add the vegetables to the meat along with 1L of water and turn up heat so they begin simmering. If using the chilli add it now, along with salt and pepper. If cooking in a regular pan then cook for 40 minutes like this. If using the pressure cooker as I do then 20 minutes will be enough.
• Add the tomatoes, chick peas and dried mint and 1/2L more water or enough to create a 'stew' consistency.
• Return to heat and cook in pan for further 30 minutes and if using pressure cooker then cook on med to high for a further 25 minutes.
• Take a 500g pack of medium couscous and pour into a gas'a if you have one. If not find the biggest bowl you have. Pick out any 'bits' and sprinkle water - about 50mls and a tsp of salt over the couscous and using your hand rub 1/2 tsp of oil through the couscous to stop it sticking. Fill a couscousier or steamer half full with the couscous (as it swells).
• When you 1st notice steam coming from the couscous, count 10 minutes. After that remove from the steamer, place in gas'a and use your hands to 'open' the couscous (rub it together between hands to remove clumps). This is very hot and you need to keep wetting you hand with cold water and sprinkling a little on the couscous.
• Return to steamer when thoroughly opened. Repeat process of steaming and opening twice more.
• Finally remove from steamer and place back in gas'a. Open for final time and rub a tbsp of ghee or smen into the couscous along with 2tsp of butter or margarine. Add salt to taste.
• Serve the couscous in the gas'a with sauce on top as traditional style or in tagine etc. Usually we place the meat/chicken in place - 1 for each guest and decorate the couscous with the veg before ladling some of the sauce over the top.
• If you used the chilli, put it on a plate and let people help themselves to it!

NAIROBI MEAT RUB

Steps:

• Combine salt, black pepper, red pepper, sugar, and ginger, garlic powder, and onion powder.
• Put into a storage container for barbecues.
• Rub this mixture into the fatty parts of the ribs, pork, or skins of chickens with the fingers.
• Cook meat over grill until done.
• Meats should never be basted with sauces, or oil.
• If your meat appears to be dry, keep a light salad oil ready to brush on during cooking.