Best 5 Moroccan Meatballs Tagine Kefta Recipes

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**Moroccan Meatballs Tagine (Kefta)**

Moroccan meatballs tagine, also known as kefta tagine, is a traditional Moroccan dish that combines succulent meatballs, a flavorful tomato-based sauce, and aromatic spices. The tender meatballs, made from a mixture of ground beef, lamb, or a combination of both, are seasoned with a blend of North African spices, including cumin, paprika, ginger, and cinnamon, creating a harmonious balance of flavors. These meatballs are then simmered in a rich tomato sauce, infused with the sweetness of onions, the tanginess of tomatoes, and the warmth of ginger and garlic. Served atop a bed of fluffy couscous or rice, this hearty and flavorful tagine is a staple in Moroccan cuisine and a delightful culinary experience for all to savor.

**Other Recipes Mentioned in the Article:**

* **Moroccan Meatballs:**

This recipe focuses solely on creating tender and flavorful meatballs using a blend of ground beef, lamb, and an aromatic spice mixture. These meatballs can be enjoyed on their own or incorporated into various dishes.

* **Moroccan Tomato Sauce:**

A versatile and flavorful tomato sauce that forms the base of many Moroccan dishes. Made with fresh tomatoes, onions, garlic, ginger, and a blend of spices, this sauce adds a rich and tangy flavor to any dish it is used in.

* **Moroccan Couscous:**

A step-by-step guide to preparing fluffy and delicious Moroccan couscous, a staple grain in North African cuisine. The recipe includes tips for achieving the perfect texture and flavor.

* **Moroccan Rice:**

This recipe provides instructions for cooking aromatic and fluffy Moroccan rice, a common accompaniment to various Moroccan dishes. It includes techniques for achieving the desired texture and flavor profile.

Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!

MOROCCAN MEATBALLS -- TAGINE KEFTA



Moroccan Meatballs -- Tagine Kefta image

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

6 -8 medium tomatoes, cored and roughly chopped
1 tablespoon paprika
1 teaspoon cumin
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
3 -4 tablespoons chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
2 garlic cloves, minced
salt & freshly ground black pepper, to taste
1/4 cup vegetable oil
400 g ground beef
1 tablespoon paprika
1 teaspoon cumin
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
3 -4 tablespoons chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
2 garlic cloves, minced
salt & freshly ground black pepper, to taste

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.

SPICED MOROCCAN MEATBALLS AND VEGGIES (TAGINE KEFTA)



Spiced Moroccan Meatballs and Veggies (Tagine Kefta) image

Provided by Hafid Assab

Time 1h40m

Number Of Ingredients 26

1 1/2 pounds ground beef (For Kefta)
1 tsp Black pepper
2 tsp cumin
1 tsp Chili Powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 tbsp chopped fresh Cilantro
2 tsp garlic, chopped
1 tbsp paprika
1/2 onion, minced
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil (Main Tagine )
2 big onions, cut into quarters
2 tbsp cilantro, chopped
1 1/2 tsp garlic, chopped
2 tsp paprika
1 tsp black pepper
1 tsp cumin
1/2 tsp chili powder
1 1/2 tsp salt
2 zucchini, cut into thick round
2 green peppers, cut into thick slices
2 carrots, sliced rounds
2 tomatoes, cut into quarters
1/4 head of cauliflower, cut into florets
2 potatoes, cut in 8ths (slices)
1 cup green beans, ends snipped
1 cup green peas, frozen or fresh

Steps:

  • Begin by making Kefta:
  • Mix all Kefta ingredients well with your hands until well combined.
  • Make ping pong sized meatballs (around 1")
  • Next start with the Main Ingredients:
  • In a thick pot, add ½ cup olive oil.
  • Saute onions until soft and then add 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro, 1 ½ teaspoons chopped garlic, 2 teaspoons paprika, 1 teaspoon black pepper, 1 teaspoon cumin, ½ teaspoon chili powder, 1 ½ teaspoons salt. Saute for 5 minutes.
  • Add Kefta balls to middle of pot. Add rest of vegetables around kefta.
  • Add all vegetables except for green beans and green peas.. Cover tightly and simmer for 45 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  • Add green beans and green peas. Cover and cook for another 15 minutes. Make sure it is still moist. (add a little water if needed).

Nutrition Facts : Calories 447 kcal, Carbohydrate 24 g, Protein 19 g, Fat 31 g, SaturatedFat 9 g, TransFat 1 g, Cholesterol 60 mg, Sodium 675 mg, Fiber 6 g, Sugar 7 g, ServingSize 1 serving

MOROCCAN KEFTA TAGINE



Moroccan Kefta Tagine image

This recipe for Kefta Mkaouara-Moroccan meatballs-is cooked in a spicy tomato sauce. Eggs are an optional but classic addition to this dish.

Provided by Christine Benlafquih

Categories     Dinner     Entree

Time 1h50m

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 27

For the Tomato Sauce:
2 pounds tomatoes (fresh, ripe)
Optional: 1 medium onion (finely chopped)
1/3 cup olive oil
3 tablespoons fresh parsley (chopped)
3 tablespoons fresh cilantro (chopped)
3 to 5 cloves garlic (pressed)
1 1/2 teaspoons paprika
1 1/2 teaspoons cumin
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1 bay leaf
For the Kefta Meatballs:
1 pound ground beef (or lamb, or a combination of the two)
1 medium onions (chopped very fine)
1 small green pepper (finely chopped)
1/4 cup fresh parsley (chopped, plus more for garnish)
1/4 cup fresh cilantro (chopped, plus more for garnish)
1 to 2 teaspoons paprika
1 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 to 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
Optional: 1 or 2 chili peppers
1/4 cup water
3 or 4 eggs

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

MOROCCAN MEATBALL TAGINE WITH LEMON & OLIVES



Moroccan meatball tagine with lemon & olives image

A wonderfully aromatic North African lamb casserole with a citrus tang - great for dinner parties

Provided by Good Food team

Categories     Dinner, Main course

Time 1h5m

Number Of Ingredients 16

3 onions , peeled
500g minced lamb
zest and juice 1 unwaxed lemon , quartered
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp ground cinnamon
pinch cayenne pepper
small bunch flat-leaf parsley , chopped
2 tbsp olive oil
thumb-sized piece ginger , peeled and grated
1 red chilli , deseeded and finely chopped
pinch saffron strands
250ml lamb stock
1 tbsp tomato purée
100g pitted black kalamata olive
small bunch coriander , chopped
couscous or fresh crusty bread, to serve

Steps:

  • Put the onions in a food processor and blitz until finely chopped. Put the lamb, lemon zest, spices, parsley and half the onions in a large bowl, and season. Using your hands, mix until well combined, then shape into walnut-sized balls.
  • Heat the oil in a large flameproof dish, or tagine with a lid, then add the remaining onions, ginger, chilli and saffron. Cook for 5 mins until the onion is softened and starting to colour. Add the lemon juice, stock, tomato purée and olives, then bring to the boil. Add the meatballs, one at a time, then reduce the heat, cover with the lid and cook for 20 mins, turning the meatballs a couple of times.
  • Remove lid, then add the coriander and lemon wedges, tucking them in between the meatballs. Cook, uncovered, for a further 10 mins until the liquid has reduced and thickened slightly. Serve hot with couscous or fresh crusty bread.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 394 calories, Fat 26 grams fat, SaturatedFat 9 grams saturated fat, Carbohydrate 11 grams carbohydrates, Sugar 8 grams sugar, Fiber 3 grams fiber, Protein 31 grams protein, Sodium 1.7 milligram of sodium

KEFTA TAJINE (MOROCCAN SPICED MEATBALLS W/ EGGS IN TOMATO SAUCE)



Kefta Tajine (Moroccan Spiced Meatballs W/ Eggs in Tomato Sauce) image

Classic Moroccan Tagine. A tagine is a subtly flavored stew, served over couscous or rice. This one makes a nice dinner served with salad and fresh bread.

Provided by littleturtle

Categories     Stew

Time 35m

Yield 35 meatballs, 4 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 19

1 lb ground lamb or 1 lb ground beef
1/2 onion, grated
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/2 teaspoon sweet Hungarian paprika
2 sprigs fresh coriander, finely chopped
2 sprigs flat leaf parsley, finely chopped
2 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 onion, grated
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon sweet Hungarian paprika
1/8 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon turmeric
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
3 tablespoons tomato paste
1 cup lamb stock or 1 cup beef stock
2 cups squash or 2 cups potatoes, peeled & cut into large chunks
1/2 cup peas
3 eggs, beaten

Steps:

  • Use your hands to mix the meatball ingredients, and roll mixture into mini meatballs 3/4"-1" in diameter; set aside.
  • In a skillet or tajine combine sauce ingredients and let mixture simmer, covered, over low heat for 5 minutes.
  • Add meatballs, squash, and peas to the sauce and simmer, covered, over medium-low heat for 15 minutes.
  • Pour the eggs in in a stream over everything.
  • Cover and cook just long enough to cook the egg (about 3 minutes, depending on how well done you like your eggs).
  • Serve warm over couscous, sprinkled with cumin or black pepper if desired.

Tips:

  • To ensure the meatballs are cooked evenly, make sure they are all the same size.
  • For a more flavorful dish, use a combination of ground beef and lamb.
  • If you don't have a tagine, you can use a large pot or Dutch oven.
  • Serve the meatballs with couscous, rice, or bread.
  • Garnish the dish with fresh herbs, such as cilantro or parsley.

Conclusion:

Moroccan meatballs tagine is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that is perfect for a weeknight meal. The meatballs are tender and flavorful, and the sauce is rich and aromatic. This dish is sure to be a hit with your family and friends.

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