Moroccan Lamb Meatballs

A spicy middle eastern recipe from Bacofoil® These easy and delicious meatballs are made with harissa, a blend of Moroccan herbs and spices, and are packed full of Middle Eastern flavour. Meatballs are notoriously sticky to cook, however, the unique BacoLift® surface on Bacofoil® The Non-Stick Kitchen Foil ensures they won’t stick to the foil, keeping them looking like they should; it also saves on the washing up too by stopping any juices seeping onto your tray. Serve with fragrant cous cous and yogurt for a Middle Eastern dish that will spice up your family dinner.

Prep Time

Approx. 20 minutes prep, plus resting

Cook Time

Approx. 40 minutes

Serves

4

Ingredients

½ onion, very finely chopped

1 tsp olive oil

1 clove garlic, very finely chopped

2 heaped tbsp fresh breadcrumbs

3-4 tsp harissa (ground spice mix or paste)

1 tbsp chopped flat-leaf parsley

500g lean lamb mince (10% fat or less)

2 tbsp milk

1 lemon, zested

Large handful unroasted almonds (preferably with skins on), roughly chopped

For the cous cous:

1 cup cous cous

1 cup vegetable stock

1 x 400g carton or tin chickpeas in water, drained

½ lemon, juice only

1-2 tbsp mixed chopped mint, flat parsley and coriander

To serve:

4 tbsp natural yogurt

a little lemon zest

pinch ground cumin

1 tsp extra virgin olive oil

Method

To make the meatballs, sauté the onion very gently in a teaspoonful of oil over a low heat for 5 minutes until very soft but not brown. Add the garlic and cook for another minute. Tip into a large mixing bowl and add the crumbs, harissa spices/paste and parsley and mix, then add the lamb mince and milk. Mix well with clean hands to make sure everything is really well combined. Leave to stand for 15 minutes in the fridge

Meanwhile, mix a little lemon zest into the yogurt and transfer to a small serving bowl. Drizzle over a little olive oil and add a pinch of cumin. Keep in the fridge until ready to serve

When you’re ready to cook, preheat the oven to 170ºC fan/190ºC/Gas 5. Line a large shallow baking tray with Bacofoil® The Non-Stick Kitchen Foil (this will ensure the meatballs don’t stick). Form the mixture into approximately 16 balls and place onto the foil

Cook in the oven for 15 minutes, then add the lemon zest and chopped almonds and bake for another 15 minutes or until cooked through

Meanwhile, prepare the couscous. Measure the cous cous into a small mug or large cup then tip into a large heatproof serving bowl. Measure the boiling stock into the same mug or cup and pour over the cous cous. Add the chickpeas, stir and cover with a plate for 5-7 minutes. Squeeze over a little lemon juice and add the herbs then fluff with a fork

Serve the meatballs with the cous cous and yogurt