Moroccan lamb meatballs with harissa & couscous

Moroccan lamb meatballs with harissa & couscous

All the flavours of a tagine in meatball form, with the kick of homemade harissa and a cooling dollop of yogurt

Difficulty and servings

Easy

Serves 4

Preparation and cooking times

Preparation time

Prep 35 mins

Cook time

Cook 20 mins

plus chilling
Freezable

Only the meatballs can be frozen

Method

  1. Heat a heavy-based pan over a low heat. Add the spices to the pan then toast for 2-3 mins until fragrant. Crush using a pestle and mortar. Set aside.
  2. Mix the breadcrumbs with 2 tbsp water and the garlic and stir well. Add the lamb, lemon juice, crushed spices, egg most of the mint. Season well. Mix well then shape into 16 balls. Chill for a good 30 mins.
  3. Heat the oil in a frying pan. Fry the balls for 6-7 mins, turning now and then, until golden brown and cooked. Keep warm. Put the couscous in a large heatproof bowl, then rub in the butter and harissa. Pour over 400ml boiling water, cover and leave for 10 mins. Fluff up and season. Shred the remaining mint, then mix through. Serve with harissa and yogurt.
Try

Homemade harissa

Put 2 tbsp each coriander, fennel and cumin seeds into a hot, dry pan. Toast for 2 mins until fragrant. Grind until fine in pestle and mortar. Wipe out pan, add 50ml olive oil, gently fry 4 chopped garlic cloves, 1 chopped red onion, 1 chopped red pepper and 6 fat red deseeded chopped chillies until soft. Mix spices and veg in food processor and blend to smooth paste. Leftovers will keep in fridge for up to a week, covered with layer of oil.

651 kcalories, protein 33g, carbohydrate 50g, fat 37 g, saturated fat 16g, fibre 0g, sugar 2g, salt 0.84 g

Recipe from Good Food magazine, September 2009.

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Latest comments and suggestions

Results 1-20

  • Binder photo Samantha

    24 August 2009

    Samantha rated this recipe

    4 stars

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  • Binder photo Franniban

    01 September 2009

    Franniban rated and commented on this recipe

    5 stars

    This was a great success. Very tasty and will definately do it again. Home made harrissa was lovely too, just not hot enough for our taste

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  • Binder photo Denise

    05 September 2009

    Denise rated and commented on this recipe

    4 stars

    I wasn't convinced that this would be as tasty as it is,the flavours of the various spices came through beautifully, all of the family have asked me to make this again and 2 lots of harissa, one milder and one hotter.

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  • Binder photo Caroline

    06 September 2009

    Caroline rated and commented on this recipe

    5 stars

    My husband and I loved this recipe. We cooked the meatballs in the oven to make it a bit healthier. The harissa had a lot of spices in it so we ended up adding about 2 tsp rather than 2 tbsp of each of the spices. We then used some of the leftover spices in a shepherd's pie which really worked.

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  • Binder photo Kirstie

    19 September 2009

    Kirstie rated and commented on this recipe

    5 stars

    Really liked this one. I made the meatballs in advance then it was just 10 minutes until dinnertime when we got home which is great for midweek. Lovely flavours.

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  • Binder photo Inga

    16 October 2009

    Inga rated and commented on this recipe

    5 stars

    These are really good, the flavours come out so nicely. I couldn't get hold of harissa so I spiced up the couscous with ground fennel, coriander, chilli, dried mint, garlic powder, salt, pepper and vegetable stock. It came out really nicely and I served it with Greek yogurt. Will definitely make this again.

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  • Binder photo chalkey

    21 October 2009

    chalkey commented on this recipe

    This was a really lovely dish and would have again

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  • Binder photo Ellie

    24 October 2009

    Ellie rated and commented on this recipe

    5 stars

    delicious. home made harissa was lovely. i grilled the meatballs and it worked great.

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  • Binder photo thynk2much

    29 October 2009

    thynk2much rated and commented on this recipe

    5 stars

    Gorgeous and guests ate every last bit!

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  • Binder photo melk83

    03 November 2009

    melk83 rated and commented on this recipe

    5 stars

    I was worried initially that this wouldnt be saucy enough but it was fab. Really moist and yummy a real treat!!!!

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  • Binder photo Rostlers

    25 November 2009

    Rostlers commented on this recipe

    Gorgeous recipe! Agree about 2 tps rather than 2tbs of spices, am cooking right now.... yum yum

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  • Binder photo Alib28

    06 February 2010

    Alib28 rated this recipe

    5 stars

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  • Binder photo wainui

    16 March 2010

    wainui rated this recipe

    5 stars

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  • Binder photo Liezel

    04 April 2010

    Liezel rated and commented on this recipe

    4 stars

    Wonderful, filling recipe. I have made this a few times and my hubby always enjoys it

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  • Binder photo Moseley27

    11 April 2010

    Moseley27 rated this recipe

    5 stars

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  • Binder photo Julie Leboeuf

    25 May 2010

    Julie Leboeuf rated and commented on this recipe

    4 stars

    Loved the harissa!

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  • Binder photo Katy

    24 July 2010

    Katy rated and commented on this recipe

    5 stars

    Delicious recipe. The meatballs were lovely and spicy. We always oven cook meatballs as they are easier to turn and less hassle.

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  • Binder photo Matthew

    06 August 2010

    Matthew rated and commented on this recipe

    5 stars

    Made this last night and it went down a treat. Made two harissas by halving the ingredients and in one of them instead of chillies I put green pepper as my dad doesn't like too spicy food and both were delicious. Will be making them again soon definitely

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  • Binder photo Viv

    26 August 2010

    Viv rated and commented on this recipe

    2 stars

    Sorry this was just not a hit with my husband, I only put 2 teaspoons of Harissa in the couscous as I knew he didnt like things too hot! I thought it was a good dish and liked the flavours of the meatballs very much, but dont think I will try this one again, at least not for my other half!!

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  • Binder photo justgrapes

    10 November 2010

    justgrapes rated and commented on this recipe

    4 stars

    Made this for a dinner party, with a quorn mince version for a veggie. Big success and the smell from making the Harissa was very appetising. I agree it could be hotter though so will add more spice next time

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Difficulty and servings

Easy

Serves 4

Preparation and cooking times

Preparation time

Prep 35 mins

Cook time

Cook 20 mins

plus chilling
Freezable

Only the meatballs can be frozen

Ingredients

FOR THE COUSCOUS

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651 kcalories, protein 33g, carbohydrate 50g, fat 37 g, saturated fat 16g, fibre 0g, sugar 2g, salt 0.84 g

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