
Harissa meatballs
Sweet and spiced, these lamb meatballs with feta are inspired by classic Middle Eastern flavours, with harissa, pomegranate molasses, dried apricots and fragrant spices. Serve with flatbreads or spoon over buttered couscous for a warming hug in a bowl
- 500g lamb mince
- 5 dried apricotsfinely chopped
- 40g pine nutstoasted, plus extra to serve
- 50g soft breadcrumbs
- 1 eggbeaten
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- ½ a small bunch corianderleaves picked and finely chopped
- 1 large onionfinely chopped
- 4 tbsp Belazu Rose Harissa Pesto
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 cloves garlicfinely chopped
- ¼ - ½ tsp chilli flakes(optional)
- 400g tin chopped tomatoes
- 400g tin chickpeasdrained and rinsed
- 1 tbsp pomegranate molasses
- 50g fetacrumbled
- yogurt and buttered couscousto serve
Nutrition: per serving
- kcal647
- fat39.7g
- saturates11.8g
- carbs31g
- sugars14.2g
- fibre7.6g
- protein37.5g
- salt1.5g
Method
step 1
Tip the lamb, apricots, pine nuts, breadcrumbs, egg, cumin, half the coriander, half the onion and half the Belazu Rose Harissa Pesto into a large bowl with some seasoning. Mix well, using clean hands, and roll into 28-30 meatballs, transfer to a plate or tray and chill for 10 minutes.
step 2
Heat 1 tbsp of the oil in a large, deep frying pan and fry the meatballs until golden brown all over. Scoop out onto a plate when browned using a slotted spoon – you may need to do this in batches.
step 3
Heat the remaining oil in the pan and fry the remaining onion for 5 minutes until softened. Stir in the garlic and chilli flakes, if using, and cook for 1 minute more until fragrant. Tip in the tomatoes, half a can of water, the remaining Belazu Rose Harissa Pesto, the chickpeas and pomegranate molasses. Bring to a simmer and cook for 15-20 minutes or until thickened and saucy. Nestle in the meatballs and pour in any resting juices, then return to a simmer and cook, covered, for 10 minutes until the meatballs are cooked through.
step 4
Scatter over the feta and a few more pine nuts, then top with a swirl of yogurt and the rest of the coriander. Serve with some buttered couscous on the side.