Spicy Egg Meatball And Tomato Tagine Kefta Mkaouara Recipes

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.

SPICY EGG, MEATBALL AND TOMATO TAGINE (KEFTA MKAOUARA)

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 200C/400F/Gas 6.
• For the meatballs, put the minced beef, parsley, cumin, paprika, one teaspoon salt and some freshly ground black pepper into a bowl and mix together well using your hands. Dampen your hands and form the mixture into about 28 2.5cm balls.
• Heat two tablespoons of the oil in a shallow tagine or frying pan and brown the meatballs briefly on all sides. Remove with a slotted spoon to a plate and set to one side.
• For the sauce, add the onion to the tagine or pan with the remaining tablespoon of oil and cook gently for ten minutes until very soft and just beginning to brown.
• Add the remaining sauce ingredients. 2 x 400g/14oz cans chopped tomatoes, 1 tsp ground cumin, ½ teaspoon hot paprika, 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper, 2 garlic cloves, crushed and salt to taste.
• Leave to simmer gently for 15-20 minutes until well concentrated in flavour but not too thick. Season well with salt to taste.
• Return the meatballs to the sauce and mix together. Transfer to a shallow ovenproof dish if you have prepared the sauce in a frying pan, otherwise leave the mixture in the tagine. Make four slight dips in the mixture and break an egg into each one. Bake in the oven for 15 minutes or until the eggs are just set.
• Scatter with the chopped coriander and serve with warm flatbread.

MEATBALL-TOMATO-AND-EGG TAGINE - (KEFTA MKAOUARA)

Steps:

• Combine the ground meat, grated onion, parsley, cilantro, cumin, cayenne, and salt and pepper.
• Wet your hands and form the mixture into 1-inch balls.
• Heat the olive oil in a tagine, cazuela, or black iron skillet set over a flame tamer over medium heat.
• Saute the meatballs in the oil until well browned on all sides.
• Remove the meatballs from the pan to a dish.
• To the same pan add the chopped onions, tomatoes, garlic, parsley, cumin, cinnamon, cayenne, and pepper.
• Cook uncovered for 30 minutes, or until the sauce has reduced to a thick gravy.
• Add the meatballs back to sauce and simmer for 10 minutes.
• Carefully, break the eggs into the sauce and poach them for 5 minutes, or until set.
• Serve at once, directly from the pan with chunks of dense, crusty bread.