By Jared Kaufman
Serves 4
If you’ve read my recipes for this blog, you might gather that I’m obsessed with the New York Shuk line of Middle Eastern condiments and spices. They recently released their take on matbucha, a North African roasted tomato and pepper sauce, to which they’ve added olives and mint. It’s fantastic, and makes the perfect base for this Moroccan-inspired kefta (meatball) tagine dish.
I served this with Israeli couscous and honey-glazed carrots roasted with Moroccan spices. But you can get creative — we have a fantastic Tunisian couscous from Mahjoub in the shop, which you can prep with almonds and herbs to match the flavors of this dish. Or just grab one of our Rose Street Patisserie baguettes and dig right in!
From France 44:
· 1 lb. ground lamb
· 1 jar New York Shuk matbucha with olives and mint
From your pantry:
· 8 oz. can tomato sauce
· ½ a yellow onion, minced
· 2 tbsp finely chopped parsley
· 1 tbsp finely chopped mint
· 1 tsp sweet (hungarian) paprika
· 1 tsp cumin
· ½ tsp cinnamon
· ½ tsp coriander
· ½ garlic powder
· Olive oil
· Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
1. Start the tomato sauce. In a wide saucepan over medium heat, pour in the jar of matbucha. We’re cooking it down a little to concentrate the flavors. Stir occasionally. Meanwhile...
2. Make the meatballs. In a large bowl, combine the lamb, onion, parsley, mint, and spices. Mix with your hand or a spatula just to blend, but do not overwork the meat or your meatballs will be tougher.
3. Form small, quarter-sized meatballs.
4. Meanwhile… into the pan with the matbucha, add the can of tomato sauce and stir well to combine. Drop the heat to low, so it sits at a nice simmer.
5. Sear the meatballs. In a small saucepan over medium-high heat, pour in a little olive oil. Drop in the meatballs and briefly sear them. We’re not cooking them through yet — just getting a little texture and flavor. (You can sear them in batches while you’re forming them!)
6. Poach! Remove the meatballs from the pan and drop them into the tomato sauce to finish cooking. Simmer together for 10 minutes. Enjoy!
