Moroccan Meatballs with Date Sauce

Recipe by Michaela Uren of Forchefs

Ingredients:

• 1 Tbsp ground cumin
• 1 Tbsp garlic powder
• 1 Tbsp onion powder
• 1 Tbsp ground coriander
• 1 Tbsp ground turmeric
• ½ Tbsp chilli powder
• ½ Tbsp smoked paprika
• 1 chicken stock cube
• 100ml oil
• 3 lamb loins or fillets
• Bread crumbs
• Egg
• Bunch of fresh coriander
• 1 Spanish onion
• Dried dates – chopped
• 1 garlic clove
• Chicken stock
• Cornflour
• Water

Method:

– In a pot cook all spices in the oil, making sure to constantly stir. Set aside
– Blend the lamb fillets till smooth, add bread crumbs, egg and chopped coriander. Season with Moroccan spice mix, salt and pepper. Roll into little balls and allow to chill
– For the sauce, finely slice the Spanish onion and cook until light in colour. Add the chopped dates and garlic, cook for about 3 minutes. Add the stock and spice mix
– Cook the sauce until the dates become soft remove half and blend. Fold back through. Add chopped coriander. If the sauce needs thickening, add corn flour and water
– Heat oil in a pan, add the meatballs, colour. Once they are almost cooked, place them in the sauce and continue cooking in the oven. Remove and serve