**Mohammed's Tagine Kefta: A Culinary Journey to North Africa**
Embark on a flavorful voyage to the heart of North African cuisine with Mohammed's Tagine Kefta, a tantalizing dish that captures the essence of Moroccan culinary traditions. This delectable tagine features succulent meatballs, known as kefta, nestled in a rich and aromatic tomato sauce, infused with a captivating blend of spices and herbs. Accompanying this main course are three enticing recipes that elevate the tagine experience: a refreshing cucumber and tomato salad, a creamy and flavorful avocado sauce, and a delightful orange and cinnamon semolina cake that adds a sweet and zesty finish to your meal. Prepare to tantalize your taste buds and immerse yourself in the vibrant flavors of North Africa with this extraordinary culinary adventure.
MOROCCAN MEATBALLS -- TAGINE KEFTA
I was taught how to make this recipe during a vacation in Morocco, where I was lucky enough to spend some time with the chef of a restaurant, Naima. In Morocco, people eat it straight out of the tagine with lots of bread to soak up the sauce but it also makes the best spaghetti and meatballs I've ever tasted! The key is to use the freshest, juciest tomatoes you can find. If you aren't lucky enough to have a tagine, you should be able to make this dish in a deep frying pan, as long as it has a cover. I think a non-stick pan would be best. One other thing, be careful of adding onions to this dish as they are very watery and will make the sauce runny. If you do add onions, you will probably have to let it simmer uncovered for a few minutes to reduce the sauce.
Provided by Sackville
Categories Vegetable
Time 35m
Yield 2-3 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 15
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.
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.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 619 kcal, Carbohydrate 18 g, Cholesterol 287 mg, Fiber 5 g, Protein 41 g, SaturatedFat 12 g, Sodium 1518 mg, Sugar 9 g, Fat 43 g, ServingSize 4 servings, UnsaturatedFat 0 g
MOHAMMED'S TAGINE KEFTA
Morocco is one of my favourite countries and after several trips there we now have good friends in the southern city of Zagora. It was there that I first learned how to make a tagine kefta, or in other words a Moroccan version of a meatball stew. Now I know there are almost as many versions of a tagine kefta as there are chefs. This one was taught to me by Mohammed in his kitchen in Zagora. For the oil, he used mostly olive oil but with a couple spoonfuls of vegetable oil mixed in. Also, the spices in Morocco are very fresh. Buy the best you can and add more if needed.
Provided by Sackville
Categories One Dish Meal
Time 40m
Yield 3-4 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- Heat the oil in a tagine. If you do not have a tagine you can also use a large covered frying pan or casserole pot.
- Put in the onion, garlic and parsley as well as the paprika, salt and pepper. Stir and cover, leaving to saute over a low heat while you prepare the meatballs.
- Add the cumin to the meat, which helps it stay together. Mix well and form into either meatballs or flat patties.
- After about five minutes you can add the tomatoes to the pot and continue to simmer.
- Stir and add a bit of cold water if necessary as the tomatoes cook down and develop into a nice sauce. This should take at least 10 minutes, don't rush it.
- When you have a good sauce, put the meat patties on top of the sauce and cover.
- If you want to add the hot pepper you can lay it on top at this point as well.
- Cover and let bubble away for another 10 minutes or until the beef is cooked, adding a bit of water if necessary.
- Once the meat is cooked crack the eggs on top and let cook for another couple minutes, covered, until the eggs are done.
- Serve hot with lots of bread to soak up the sauce.
Tips:
- Mise en Place: Before you start cooking, make sure you have all the ingredients and tools you need within reach. This will help you stay organized and avoid scrambling.
- Use Fresh Ingredients: The fresher your ingredients, the better your tagine will taste. Whenever possible, use fresh vegetables, herbs, and spices.
- Brown the Meat: Browning the meat before adding it to the tagine helps to develop its flavor and prevent it from becoming dry.
- Layer the Ingredients: Layering the ingredients in the tagine helps to create a complex and flavorful dish. Start with a layer of vegetables, then add the meat, and finally top it off with the sauce.
- Cook Low and Slow: Tagines are traditionally cooked low and slow. This allows the flavors to develop and meld together. Be patient and let the tagine cook for at least 1 hour, or up to 2 hours for a more tender and flavorful dish.
- Serve with Accompaniments: Tagines are often served with couscous, rice, or bread. You can also serve them with a side of yogurt or salad.
Conclusion:
Mohammed's Tagine Kefta is a delicious and flavorful dish that is easy to make. With its tender meatballs, savory sauce, and fresh vegetables, this tagine is sure to be a hit with your family and friends. So next time you're looking for a new Moroccan dish to try, give Mohammed's Tagine Kefta a try. You won't be disappointed!
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