Here's a recipe for a delicious Moroccan Meatballs Tagine, also known as "Kefta Tagine." This dish features spiced meatballs simmered in a rich tomato sauce, often topped with eggs for extra flavor.
INGREDIENTS:
For the Meatballs (Kefta):
- 1 lb (450g) ground beef or lamb
- 1 small onion, finely grated
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, finely chopped
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon ground paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (for browning)
For the Tomato Sauce:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 large onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon ground paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1/2 cup water or vegetable broth
- Optional: 2-4 eggs (if you want to add eggs on top)
For Garnish:
- Fresh cilantro or parsley, chopped
INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Prepare the Meatballs (Kefta):
- In a large bowl, combine the ground beef or lamb, grated onion, minced garlic, parsley, cilantro, cumin, paprika, cinnamon, coriander, salt, and pepper.
- Mix the ingredients thoroughly until well combined.
- Shape the mixture into small meatballs, about 1 inch in diameter.
2. Brown the Meatballs:
- Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large pan over medium heat.
- Add the meatballs and brown them on all sides. You don't need to cook them through, just enough to get some color. Remove the meatballs from the pan and set aside.
3. Prepare the Tomato Sauce:
- In the same pan, add 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Sauté the chopped onion until softened and golden.
- Add the minced garlic and sauté for another minute.
- Stir in the diced tomatoes, tomato paste, cumin, paprika, turmeric, cinnamon, salt, and pepper. Cook for 5-7 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.
- Add water or vegetable broth to the sauce and bring it to a simmer.
4. Cook the Meatballs in the Sauce:
- Gently place the browned meatballs into the simmering tomato sauce.
- Cover the pan and let the meatballs cook in the sauce for about 20-25 minutes, until fully cooked through.
5. Optional: Add Eggs:
- If you want to add eggs, crack them directly into the sauce during the last 5 minutes of cooking.
- Cover the pan and cook until the eggs are set to your liking.
6. Garnish and Serve:
- Garnish the dish with fresh cilantro or parsley.
- Serve the tagine hot, accompanied by crusty bread, couscous, or rice.
Enjoy your Moroccan Meatballs Tagine!
- You can adjust the amount of spices to your taste.
- If you don't have a non-stick skillet, you can cook the meatballs in a regular skillet and then transfer them to a baking dish to bake in the oven.
- You can also add other vegetables to the sauce, such as carrots or potatoes.
- Meatballs are a popular dish in many cultures around the world.
- They can be made with a variety of different meats, including beef, lamb, chicken, and pork.
- Meatballs can be served with a variety of different sauces, such as tomato sauce, cream sauce, or gravy.
- For a richer flavor, you can add 1/4 cup of chopped dried apricots or prunes to the meatballs.
- If you don't have a tagine, you can cook the kafta in a Dutch oven or large pot.
- To make the kafta ahead of time, you can shape the meatballs and freeze them. When you're ready to cook, thaw the meatballs and cook them as directed.
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