Pistachio Dates Truffles Recipe

 

Ingredients

1½ cups date paste or 300 g
2½ cups ground almonds or 250 g
1 tin NESTLÉ® Cream or 170 g
1 cup ground pistachio nuts or 100 g

Preparation

In a large bowl, add and combine dates paste, ground almond and NESTLÉ® Cream .

Mix all ingredients well until a soft dough forms. Cover and place the mixture in the fridge for 1 hour or to set. Roll the mixture into small balls.

Roll the balls in the ground pistachio and serve.

Umm Ali Recipe

 

Preparation time :     15 minutes
Cooking time :     20 minutes
Serves: 10 persons

Ingredients

8 pieces croissant or 600 g, medium size, cut into small pieces
3 tablespoons raisins
3 tablespoons desiccated coconut
3 tablespoons flaked almonds, toasted
3 tablespoons pistachio nuts, cracked
1 tin NESTLÉ® Sweetened Condensed Milk or 397 g
1 teaspoon vanilla essence
4 cups water or 1 liter
1 cup liquid cream or 250 ml, whipped

Preparation

Combine croissant pieces, raisins, coconut, almonds and pistachio in a baking dish.

Place NESTLÉ® Sweetened Condensed Milk , vanilla and water in a large saucepan and bring to boil then remove from heat and pour immediately over the croissant mixture in the baking dish and set them aside for 5 minutes or until croissants absorb the maximum of the liquid.

Place whipped cream in a piping bag and pipe the cream over the prepared mixture in the baking dish.

Place the baking dish in a preheated oven at 200°C using the grill part of the oven and grill for 5 minutes or until the cream topping is golden color. Serve it immediately.

Chicken and Sausage Couscous Recipe

 

Having couscous instead of rice in this easy-to-make stir-fry is a nice change of pace. For added flavor, the couscous is cooked in chicken broth instead of water. Add stir-fried chicken breast, vegetables, and smoked sausage and you have a unique meal that's ready in minutes. Serve it with breadsticks, if desired.

Ingredients

6 ounces fully cooked smoked sausage (such as Polish sausage or Kielbasa), halved lengthwise and sliced into 1/2-inch pieces
2 stalks celery, sliced (1 cup)
2 medium carrots, thinly sliced (1 cup)
1-1/3 cups chicken broth
1 cup couscous
4 ounces boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into bite-size strips
1 medium green sweet pepper, cut into strips (3/4 cup)
1 cup chicken broth
1 tablespoon cornstarch

Directions

1. In a 10-inch skillet cook and stir sausage, celery, and carrots over medium-high heat about 5 minutes or until sausage is brown. Reduce heat; cover and cook for 3 to 5 minutes more or until carrots are nearly tender. Drain off fat.

2. Meanwhile, in a medium saucepan bring the 1-1/3 cups broth to boiling. Stir in couscous; cover and remove from heat. Let stand while preparing meat and vegetable mixture.

3. Add chicken and green sweet pepper to skillet; cook and stir over medium-high heat for 3 to 5 minutes or until chicken is no longer pink. Combine the 1 cup broth and cornstarch; stir into skillet. Cook and stir over medium heat until thickened and bubbly; cook and stir for 2 minutes more. Fluff couscous with a fork. Serve sausage mixture over couscous. Makes 4 servings.

4. Make-ahead tip: Cut up the vegetables, sausage, and chicken the night before. Refrigerate them in covered containers until needed.

Moroccan Rib Roast Recipe

 

This tender, juicy, low-calorie rib roast is infused with the flavors of North Africa. Coriander, lemon, and cumin pack plenty of zesty Moroccan-flavored punch, while grilled vegetables provide a tasty natural side. To make the dish even more authentic, try using a leg of lamb instead of beef.

Ingredients

2 tablespoons coriander seeds, crushed
2 tablespoons finely shredded lemon peel
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon whole cumin seeds, crushed
1/2 to 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper
1/2 teaspoon coarse salt
1 4- to 5-pound beef rib roast
8 cloves garlic, peeled and cut into slivers
Assorted peeled and cut-up vegetables, such as carrots, turnips, and sweet peppers

Directions

1. In a small bowl stir together coriander seeds, lemon peel, olive oil, cumin, red pepper, and salt. Rub surface of meat thoroughly with coriander mixture.

2. Cut 1/2-inch-wide slits randomly into top and sides of meat. Insert garlic slivers deep into slits. If desired, cover and chill meat for up to 24 hours.

3. Prepare grill for indirect grilling. Test for medium heat above the drip pan. Place meat on the lightly oiled grill rack over the drip pan.

4. Cover and grill for 1-1/2 to 2 hours or until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the center of the meat registers 155 degree F for medium doneness. Add assorted cut-up vegetables to grill during the last 45 minutes of grilling, removing and setting them aside as they become tender. Carve meat and serve with the grilled vegetables. Makes 8 to 10 servings.

5. Test Kitchen Tip: You may prepare this recipe using leg of lamb instead of a beef rib roast as part of a more authentic Moroccan feast. For a 3- to 4-pound leg of lamb, grill for 2 to 3 hours or until a meat thermometer registers 155 degree F for medium doneness.

BHG.com

Moroccan Kofte with Spicy Tomato Sauce Recipe

 

Bring out a big dish to share next time you have friends over - you can make the sauce and kofte ahead to keep it stress-free.

Easy
Serves 4
Easily doubled
Prep 25 mins
Cook 20 mins
Freezable
Uncooked kofte can be frozen

Ingredients

500g pack minced lamb
1 small red onion , finely chopped
1 tsp ground coriander
1 tbsp chopped mint

FOR THE SAUCE

1 tbsp olive oil
1 garlic clove , finely chopped
2 x 400g cans chopped tomato
1-2 tsp harissa
1 tsp sugar
200g tub Greek yogurt
2 tbsp toasted pine nuts

Method

1. Soak eight wooden skewers in water for 20 minutes, to stop them burning.

2. Using your hands, mix the meat in a bowl with the onion, coriander, mint and plenty of seasoning. Shape into 8 sausages, about 10cm long, then thread a bamboo skewer through the centre of each.

3. To make the sauce, heat the oil in a pan, add the garlic and briefly fry. Add tomatoes, harissa, sugar and seasoning. Simmer, uncovered, for 15-20 mins until sauce has thickened.

4. Grill the kofte for 6-8 mins, turning until they are nicely browned (be careful not to burn the skewers). Spoon the sauce over a warm platter, drizzle over the yogurt and put the kofte on top. Scatter with pine nuts and serve with pittas or couscous (recipe, below).

Try
Seven-minute couscous

Tip 200g couscous into a bowl and stir in 2 tsp stock powder. Pour on 300ml boiling water, cover and leave for 4 mins until the water is absorbed. Fluff up with a fork, then add juice 1 lemon, bunch chopped coriander and a drizzle olive oil.

Get ahead

The uncooked kofte will keep in the fridge alongside the tomato sauce for 24 hours.

Nutrition per serving
316 kcalories, protein 27g, carbohydrate 8g, fat 20 g, saturated fat 9g, fibre 2g, sugar 6g, salt 0.5 g

Good Food magazine, June 2010. 

Lebanese Olive Pizza Recipe

 

Prep Time: 5 mins
Total Time: 20 mins
Servings: 1-2

Ingredients:

100 g lebanese bread (about 30cm or 12-inches round)
125 g tomato paste
125 g mozzarella cheese, grated
100 g kalamata olives (pitted)
1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
1/4 teaspoon dried basil
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

Directions:

1 Pre-heat oven to 225 C (425F).
2 Spread tomato paste even over leabanese bread and top with grated mozzarella, followed by evenly spaced olives.
3 Sprinkle herbs over the top.
4 Bake in oven for 10 - 15 minutes (check after 10, it doesn't take long).
5 Allow to rest a few minutes before cutting and serving.

Shish Taouk - Lebanese Chicken Skewers Recipe

 

Prep Time: 20 mins
Total Time: 35 mins
Servings: 6

Ingredients:

6 boneless skinless chicken breasts
3 garlic cloves, crushed
1/4 cup olive oil
1 lemon, juice of
1 tablespoon paprika
1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste
1 cup yogurt
2 tablespoons sumaq
1 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons black pepper

Directions:

1 Cut chicken breasts into pieces for skewers.

2 Mix remaining ingredients together to make a marinade.

3 Add chicken to marinade, mix well and refrigerate in a non-reactive container from 2-8 hours.

4 Thread chicken on skewers and grill or cook under a broiler.

Beef and Pear Tagine Recipe

Ingredients (serves 6)

2/3 cup honey
1 large lemon, juiced
2 firm pears, cores removed, cut into thick wedges
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground allspice
2 tablespoons olive oil
2kg chuck steak, cut into 3cm cubes
2 brown onions, finely chopped
2 garlic cloves, crushed
3cm piece fresh ginger, peeled, grated
3 to 4 tablespoons Masterfoods Moroccan Spice Blend
20g butter

Method

1. Place 1 1/2 cups cold water, honey, 1/4 cup lemon juice, pears, cinnamon and allspice in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Bring to the boil. Reduce heat to medium. Simmer, uncovered, for 25 minutes or until pears are tender. Allow to cool. Drain, reserving liquid. Set pears aside.

2. Preheat oven to 180°C. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a heavy-based saucepan over high heat. Cook steak, in batches, for 3 minutes or until browned, adding more oil as required. Transfer to a large plate.

3. Reduce heat to medium. Add onion to pan. Cook, stirring, for 5 minutes or until soft. Add garlic, ginger and spice blend. Cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Return steak to pan with 1 1/3 cups reserved pear syrup. Bring to the boil. Transfer tagine to an ovenproof casserole dish. Cover with a lid. Place in oven and cook for 1 1/2 hours.

4. Meanwhile, heat butter in a non-stick frying pan over medium-low heat. Add pears. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes each side or until golden. Remove tagine from oven and stir in pears. Return to oven and cook, uncovered, for 25 minutes or until steak is tender. Serve with pumpkin and chickpea salad and Moroccan bread (see related recipes).

Source
Super Food Ideas - July 2006, Page 42
Recipe by Dixie Elliott

Fruity Lamb Tagine Recipe

 

This succulent and super healthy one-pot is guaranteed to satisfy a crowd - save time and make it up to two days ahead

Easy
Serves 4
Prep 15 mins
Cook 1 hr 30 mins
Freezable
Super healthy, Dairy-free

Ingredients

2 tbsp olive oil
500g lean diced lamb
1 large onion , roughly chopped
2 large carrots , quartered lengthways and cut into chunks
2 garlic cloves , finely chopped
2 tbsp ras-el-hanout spice mix (see tip, below)
400g can chopped tomatoes
400g can chickpeas , rinsed and drained
200g dried apricots
600ml chicken stock

TO SERVE

120g pack pomegranate seeds
2 large handfuls coriander , roughly chopped

Method

1. Heat oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Heat the oil in a casserole and brown the lamb on all sides. Scoop the lamb out onto a plate, then add the onion and carrots and cook for 2-3 mins until golden. Add the garlic and cook for 1 min more. Stir in the spices and tomatoes, and season. Tip the lamb back in with the chickpeas and apricots. Pour over the stock, stir and bring to a simmer. Cover the dish and place in the oven for 1 hr.

2. If the lamb is still a little tough, give it 20 mins more until tender. When ready, leave it to rest so it's not piping hot, then serve scattered with pomegranate and herbs, with couscous or rice alongside.

Try

Spice mix
Ras el hanout, a North African spice mix, contains cardamom, cinnamon, clove, coriander, cumin, nutmeg, turmeric and black pepper. Find it in larger supermarkets, or use a mix of the spices above.

Nutrition per serving

497 kcalories, protein 40g, carbohydrate 46g, fat 18 g, saturated fat 5g, fibre 12g, sugar 32g, salt 1.37 g

Recipe from Good Food magazine, October 2009.

 

Lebanese Chicken and Potatoes Recipe

Prep Time: 15 Min
Cook Time: 1 Hr
Ready In: 1 Hr 15 Min

Ingredients

8 cut up chicken pieces
8 medium potatoes, peeled and quartered
salt to taste
ground white pepper to taste
4 cloves garlic, crushed
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
1 cup fresh lemon juice

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C).

2. Place chicken and potatoes in a large baking dish. Season generously with salt and white pepper.

3. In a bowl, stir together garlic, olive oil, and lemon juice. Pour over chicken and potatoes. Cover dish with foil.

4. Bake in preheated oven for 30 minutes. Remove foil, increase heat to 475 degrees F (245 degrees C), and cook until chicken and potatoes are golden, about 30 minutes.

Nutritional Information

Amount Per Serving  Calories: 592 | Total Fat: 30.5g | Cholesterol: 65mg

Lebanese-Style Red Lentil Soup Recipe

Prep Time: 20 Min
Cook Time: 30 Min
Ready In: 50 Min

Ingredients

6 cups chicken stock
1 pound red lentils
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1 large onion, chopped
1 tablespoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/2 cup chopped cilantro
3/4 cup fresh lemon juice

Directions

1. Bring chicken stock and lentils to a boil in a large saucepan over high heat, then reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer for 20 minutes.

2. Meanwhile, heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Stir in garlic and onion, and cook until the onion has softened and turned translucent, about 3 minutes.

3. Stir onions into the lentils and season with cumin and cayenne. Continue simmering until the lentils are tender, about 10 minutes.

4. Carefully puree the soup in a standing blender, or with a stick blender until smooth. Stir in cilantro and lemon juice before serving.

Nutritional Information

Amount Per Serving  Calories: 276 | Total Fat: 7g | Cholesterol: < 1mg 

Brick Chicken with Apricot Couscous Recipe

Cook Time: 1 hr 0 min
Level: Intermediate
Yield: 4 to 6 servings

Ingredients

2 tablespoons cumin seed
2 tablespoons whole coriander
2 cinnamon sticks
1 teaspoon sweet paprika
1 teaspoon cayenne
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 cup olive oil
1 lemon, juiced
1 whole free-range chicken (3 pounds), split (see directions below or have butcher split chicken for you)
Extra-virgin olive oil
Mint Yogurt Dressing. recipe follows
Apricot Couscous, recipe follows

Directions

Toast cumin, coriander and cinnamon in a medium saucepan over low heat until fragrant. In a clean spice grinder or coffee grinder, blend spices until fine. Add the toasted spices to a bowl with paprika and cayenne. Season with kosher salt. Stir in the olive oil and lemon juice.

Prepare chicken by splitting it down the back and removing the backbone, breast bone and rib cage. Lay the chicken out flat and rub the blended spices all over. Marinate for up to 4 hours or overnight.

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.

Heat a large cast iron skillet (or other heavy oven-proof pan) over medium-high heat. When hot, add a 2 count of extra-virgin olive oil and place the chicken skin side down in the pan. Cover it with a second cast iron pan (you could also use a more traditional foil-wrapped brick) immediately so the skin doesn't have time to contract. Reduce the heat to medium and cook for 10 to 15 minutes until chicken is golden brown and has a nice crust. Finish cooking in the oven for a further 20 to 25 minutes. Internal temperature between the leg and thigh should register 165 degrees F on an instant-read thermometer, when cooked through. Serve with Mint Yogurt Dressing and Apricot Couscous.

Mint Yogurt Dressing:

1 1/2 cups plain yogurt
1/2 bunch chopped fresh cilantro leaves
1/2 bunch fresh mint leaves
2 green onions, green parts only
2 tablespoons honey
1 lemon, juiced
Extra-virgin olive oil
Salt and pepper

While chicken is cooking, combine yogurt, cilantro, mint, green onions, honey, lemon juice, extra-virgin olive oil, and salt and pepper, to taste, in a blender. Blend until mixture is fully combined and has a smooth consistency.

Apricot Couscous:

Extra-virgin olive oil
1 small red onion, small dice
1/4 cup dried apricots, coarsely chopped
1/4 cup whole almonds toasted, coarsely chopped
1 cup couscous
1 1/2 cups chicken stock, warm
1/2 teaspoon lemon zest
2 scallions green parts only
1/4 cup fresh mint leaves, roughly chopped
1/2 bunch fresh cilantro leaves, roughly chopped plus leaves for garnish
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

In a medium saucepan add a 2 count of extra-virgin olive oil. Add the red onion, apricots and almonds and saute gently over low heat until translucent and slightly fragrant. Add the couscous then dump in the warm chicken broth. Stir with a fork to combine, add lemon zest and cover. Let sit for 10 minutes, then uncover and add the scallions, mint, and cilantro. Fluff again with a fork. Season, to taste, with salt and pepper. Toss gently to combine.

Serve family-style on a large platter and garnish with fresh cilantro.

Yield: 4 to 6 servings

Recipe courtesy Tyler Florence
Show: Tyler's UltimateEpisode: Ultimate Brick Chicken

Chickpea and Spinach Salad with Cumin Dressing and Yogurt Sauce Recipe

 

Prep Time: 20 min
Level: Easy
Yield: 8 servings

Ingredients

2 (15-ounce) cans chickpeas, drained and rinsed
1/4 cup chopped flat-leaf parsley
1/2 cup chopped red onion
1/4 cup olive oil
3 tablespoons lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon lemon zest
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
Salt and pepper
4 cups baby spinach leaves
Yogurt with Orange Essence, recipe below, optional
2 tablespoons coarsely chopped fresh mint leaves, optional

Directions

In a medium bowl combine the chickpeas, parsley and onion. In a small bowl whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, zest, cumin, cayenne pepper, salt and pepper. Pour the dressing over the chickpea mixture and toss to combine. Serve the chickpea salad over a bed of spinach leaves. Top with the yogurt sauce and a sprinkle of mint, if using.

Yogurt with Orange Essence:

1/3 cup lowfat plain yogurt
1/4 teaspoon orange zest
2 tablespoons orange juice
1/2 teaspoon honey

In a small bowl, stir together the yogurt, orange zest, orange juice and honey.

Yield: about 1/2 cup

2005, Ellie Krieger
Show: Healthy Appetite with Ellie Krieger Episode: Hot Off the Grill

Falafel with Tahini Sauce Recipe

Cook Time: 30 min
Level: Intermediate
Yield: about 2 1/2 dozen

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups dried, peeled fava beans (skinless, split broad beans), soaked in cold water for 24 hours
1/3 cup dried chickpeas, soaked in cold water for 24 hours
1 yellow onion, finely chopped
1/4 cup minced parsley leaves
1/4 cup minced cilantro leaves
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon baking soda or baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
Vegetable oil, for frying
Tahini Sauce, for serving, recipe follows
Pita bread, for serving, optional

Directions

Drain and rinse both the fava beans as well as the chickpeas. Combine both beans in the bowl of a food processor, along with the onion, parsley, cilantro, garlic, cumin, baking soda, salt, ground coriander, and cayenne, and pulse, scraping down the sides of the bowl as necessary, until a coarse paste is formed. Add 1 or 2 tablespoons of water, if needed to make the paste hold together - you will have to remove the lid of the processor and check this by pressing some of the mixture together between your fingers. Add a bit more water, if necessary. Transfer to a bowl and set aside to rest for about 30 minutes.

Preheat at least 3-inches of oil in a saucepan or a deep-fryer to 350 degrees F.

Scoop the fava-chick pea mixture into 1 1/2 to 2-tablespoon increments and, using your hands, shape into balls or patties about 1 1/2 to 2-inches in diameter. Gently lower the falafel balls into the hot oil (these are fragile - do not drop them or they will fall apart.) Fry the falafel in batches until crisp and brown, turning to promote even browning, 2 to 2 1/2 minutes. Transfer to paper-lined plates to drain briefly before serving with the Tahini Sauce and pita bread, if using.

 

Chef's Note: if you cannot find skinless fava beans, you will need to peel them. This is most easily accomplished after the beans have soaked for a short while - the skins will puff up away from the bean and can then be peeled off. While this is not terribly difficult to do, it is very time consuming and we recommend using skinless if you can source them.

Tahini Sauce:

1 cup tahini paste
1/4 cup plus more, if necessary, lemon juice
2 small cloves garlic, minced
1/2 to 3/4 cup water, as needed
1/2 to 3/4 teaspoon salt

Make the sauce by combining the tahini paste, lemon juice, and garlic in a bowl and stirring to combine. Add the water a little at a time as needed to form a smooth, creamy sauce approximately the thickness of heavy cream. (Note that the sauce might appear to separate for a bit before enough water has been added; just keep adding more water bit by bit and stirring until the sauce comes together.) Season to taste with salt and more lemon juice, if necessary. Transfer to a nonreactive container and refrigerate until ready to serve the falafel.

Yield: about 2 cups

Recipe courtesy Emeril Lagasse, 2007
Show: Emeril LiveEpisode: A Persian Feast

Middle Eastern Chicken Pot and Butter-Nut Couscous Recipe

 

Cook Time: 25 min
Level: Easy
Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients

1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil, eyeball it
1 1/2 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs, chopped into bite-sized pieces
1 onion, thinly sliced
3 cloves garlic, grated or chopped
1 cup shredded carrots
1 fresh bay leaf
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon coriander
Pinch ground cinnamon
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
3/4 cup chopped dried fruits - pick 1 or combine: figs, pitted dates, apricots, sultanas
1 lemon, zested and juiced
3/4 cup pitted mixed olives, chopped
4 cups chicken stock, divided
2 tablespoons butter
3 tablespoons pine nuts
1/4 cup slivered or sliced almonds
1 1/2 cups couscous
Handful flat-leaf parsley, chopped

Directions

Heat the extra-virgin olive oil in a deep skillet over medium-high heat. When the oil ripples add the chicken and brown 3 to 4 minutes on each side. Add the onions, garlic, carrots, bay leaf and season with spices, salt and pepper, cook 5 to 6 minutes. Stir the fruits into the chicken and vegetables, add the zest of the lemon, olives and 2 1/2 cups of stock. Reduce heat to low and simmer 10 minutes more. Sprinkle with lemon juice and turn off heat. Remove bay leaf.

While chicken simmers, melt butter in a sauce pot over medium heat. Add nuts and lightly toast for a couple of minutes. Add 1 1/2 cups stock and bring up to a boil then stir in couscous. Cover and let stand 5 minutes.

Serve chicken over couscous, or vice versa, and garnish with parsley.

Recipe courtesy Rachael Ray
Show: 30 Minute Meals - Episode: Chicken Goes Abroad

Moroccan Chard & Lamb Pan-Fry Recipe

 

A quick, exotic one-pan dish

Easy
Serves 4
Prep 10 mins
Cook 20 mins
Ready in 30 minutes
Freezable

Ingredients

1 bunch chard
1 oz olive oil
600g diced shoulder of lamb
1 onion , sliced
2 garlic cloves , sliced
1 tsp each ground turmeric , cumin seeds, coriander seeds
pinch chilli flakes
400ml stock , lamb or chicken
handful raisins
handful toasted pine nuts

Method

1. Strip the chard leaves from the stalk. Cut the stalk into batons and roughly shred the leaves. Set aside separately.

2. Heat the oil in a sauté pan and fry the lamb for 5-6 mins over a high heat until browned. Add the onion, garlic, chard stalks and spices and continue to cook for 3-4 mins until softened. Pour over the stock and scatter in the raisins, then simmer for 4-5 mins to make a sauce. Wilt chard leaves through the stock, season and serve scattered with pine nuts.

Try

Stir-frying chard
Try stir-frying chard with ginger and garlic and serving it drizzled with soy sauce.

Nutrition per serving

438 kcalories, protein 38g, carbohydrate 12g, fat 27 g, saturated fat 10.04g, fibre 0.8g, sugar 7.7g, salt 1 g

Recipe from Good Food magazine, April 2006.

Spicy Lebanese Lamb Tart Recipe

 

This wonderfully simple lamb tart is excellent topped with a dollop of Greek yogurt. Serve with a fattoush salad.

Serves 4 |
Takes 15 minutes to make, 35-40 minutes to cook

Ingredients

375g ready-rolled puff pastry
1 tbsp semolina or polenta
1 large free-range egg, beaten
1 tbsp olive oil
1 onion, finely chopped
500g lean lamb mince
1½ tbsp pomegranate molasses (we like Al Rabih, from Sainsbury’s)
2 tsp ground allspice
1 tsp ground cinnamon
2 chillies, 1 deseeded and finely chopped, 1 sliced
25g pine nuts, toasted
200ml chicken stock, hot
Bunch of fresh flatleaf parsley, chopped, plus extra to garnish
Bunch of fresh coriander, chopped
Handful of pomegranate seeds

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 200ºC/fan180ºC/gas 6. Trim the puff pastry a little to make a 30cm x 20cm rectangle. Score a border 3cm inside the rectangle with a knife and place on a baking sheet that has been sprinkled with the semolina or polenta. Brush the pastry with the beaten egg, taking care not to brush directly over the scored line, and prick the inside rectangle several times with a fork to stop it from rising. Bake for 10-15 minutes until the edge of the pastry rectangle has started to rise and turn lightly golden, then remove from the oven.

2. Meanwhile, heat a heavy-based pan with the oil and cook the onion gently for 5 minutes until soft. Add the lamb and cook for another 5 minutes, stirring until browned all over, then stir in the pomegranate molasses, allspice, cinnamon, finely chopped chilli, pine nuts and stock. Cook for 10 minutes until the stock has reduced, leaving sticky lamb mince. Stir through the parsley and coriander, season, then spoon into the puff pastry case.

3. Sprinkle with the sliced chilli and bake in the oven for 10-15 minutes more. Serve sprinkled with the extra parsley and the pomegranate seeds.

Nutritional info
Per serving: 706kcals, 44.4g fat (18.1g saturated), 35.4g protein, 45.9g carbs, 7.9g sugar, 1.4g salt 

Moroccan Tagine Recipe

 

Tagines are Moroccan slow-cooked meat, fruit and vegetable dishes which are almost invariably made with mutton. Using lamb cuts down the cooking time, but if you can find good hogget (older than lamb, younger than mutton, commonly labeled 'baking legs' and sold cheaply) that will do very well.

Prep Time: 15 Min

Cook Time: 2 Hrs

Ready In: 2 Hrs 15 Min

Ingredients

1 tablespoon olive oil

2 large onions, peeled and sliced into rings

2 pounds lamb meat, cut into 1 1/2 inch cubes

1 teaspoon ground cumin

1 teaspoon ground coriander seed

1 teaspoon ground ginger

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

salt to taste

1 teaspoon ground black pepper

4 pears - peeled, cored and cut into 1 1/2 inch chunks

1/2 cup golden raisins

1/2 cup blanched slivered almonds

Directions

1. Heat the oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Fry the onion in the oil until soft. Add the lamb meat to the pan, and fry until just browned on the outside. Season with cumin, coriander, ginger, cinnamon, salt and pepper. Pour just enough water into the pot to cover the meat. Cover, and simmer over low heat for 1 1/2 to 2 hours, until meat is tender and the mixture is stew-like. Displace lid a little after an hour if there appears to be too much liquid.

2. Add the pears, golden raisins and almonds to the stew, and cook for another 5 minutes or so, until the pears are soft. Serve with rice.

Nutritional Information

Amount Per Serving  Calories: 329 | Total Fat: 9g | Cholesterol: 71mg

Lamb Tagine Recipe

Prep Time: 45 Min
Cook Time: 2 Hrs
Ready In: 10 Hrs 45 Min

Ingredients

3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
2 pounds lamb meat, cut into 1 1/2 inch cubes
2 teaspoons paprika
1/4 teaspoon ground turmeric
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1 pinch saffron
3/4 teaspoon garlic powder
3/4 teaspoon ground coriander
2 medium onions, cut into 1-inch cubes
5 carrots, peeled, cut into fourths, then sliced lengthwise into thin strips
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon freshly grated ginger
1 lemon, zested
1 (14.5 ounce) can homemade chicken broth or low-sodium canned broth
1 tablespoon sun-dried tomato paste
1 tablespoon honey
1 tablespoon cornstarch (optional)
1 tablespoon water (optional)

Directions

1. Place diced lamb in a bowl, toss with 2 tablespoons of the olive oil, and set aside. In a large resealable bag, toss together the paprika, turmeric, cumin, cayenne, cinnamon, cloves, cardamom, salt, ginger, saffron, garlic powder, and coriander; mix well. Add the lamb to the bag, and toss around to coat well. Refrigerate at least 8 hours, preferably overnight.

2. Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large, heavy bottomed pot over medium-high heat. Add 1/3 of the lamb, and brown well. Remove to a plate, and repeat with remaining lamb. Add onions and carrots to the pot and cook for 5 minutes. Stir in the fresh garlic and ginger; continue cooking for an additional 5 minutes. Return the lamb to the pot and stir in the lemon zest, chicken broth, tomato paste, and honey. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 1 1/2 to 2 hours, stirring occasionally, until the meat is tender.

3. If the consistency of the tagine is too thin, you may thicken it with a mixture of cornstarch and water during the last 5 minutes.

Nutritional Information
Amount Per Serving  Calories: 425 | Total Fat: 20.5g | Cholesterol: 110mg

Baba Ghanoush Recipe

 

Makes 2 1/2 cups

Ingredients

1kg eggplant
1/2 cup plain Greek-style yoghurt
2 tablespoons lemon juice
2 tablespoons tahini
1 garlic clove, crushed
1/4 teaspoon sea salt
Chopped fresh parsley and olive oil, to serve

Method

1. Heat a barbecue plate on high. Reduce heat to low. Cook eggplant, turning occasionally, for 45 minutes or until browned all over and tender. Transfer to a plate. Cover with foil. Stand for 10 minutes or until cool enough to handle.

2. Remove and discard skin from eggplant. Roughly chop flesh. Cool completely.

3. Place eggplant flesh, yoghurt, lemon juice, tahini, garlic and salt in a bowl. Stir to combine. Serve with parsley and oil.

Notes
For a smoother texture, mash eggplant.
Make the most of summer entertaining with pasta salad recipes, potato salads, barbecue recipes and fish & seafood recipes.

Source
Super Food Ideas - November 2010, Page 74
Recipe by Emma Braz