Moroccan Meatballs
- Level: Intermediate
- Yield: 15 to 20 servings
- Total: 1 hr 30 min
- Active: 1 hr 10 min
Ingredients
Moroccan Meatball Sauce:
1 gallon tomato sauce
1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro
1/4 cup ground cumin
1/4 cup harissa
3 tablespoons smoked paprika
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
Moroccan Meatballs:
1 gallon bread cubes, day-old, no crust
5 cups minced yellow onions
3/4 cup minced garlic
5 pounds ground chuck
5 pounds ground pork
3/4 cup finely chopped fresh cilantro
3/4 cup finely chopped fresh parsley
1/4 cup cumin seeds, ground
1/4 cup smoked paprika
1/4 cup black peppercorns, ground
1/4 cup salt
4 teaspoons ancho chile powder
1 tablespoon ground ginger
10 eggs, whipped before adding
Vegetable oil
Directions
- For the sauce: Mix together the tomato sauce, cilantro, cumin, harissa, paprika and cinnamon.
- For the meatballs: Preheat the oven to 500 degrees F. Soak the bread in just enough water to cover for 1 minute. Pour into a colander and let sit for 10 minutes. Squeeze all the excess water out.
- Meanwhile, gently cook the onions and garlic until translucent. Let cool, then transfer to a bowl. Add the chuck, pork, cilantro, parsley, cumin, paprika, pepper, salt, chile powder, ginger and eggs and mix thoroughly.
- Portion and shape the mixture into 3 1/2-ounce balls. Heat oil over medium-high heat in a large saute pan and brown the meatballs on all sides.
- Transfer to a large baking dish, cover with the meatball sauce and wrap with aluminum foil. Braise the meatballs in the oven until cooked through but not dry, 20 minutes.
- Let cool slightly, then serve.