Merguez Meatballs Recipes

Steps:

• For the merguez meatballs: Preheat a deep-fryer to 375 degrees F. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Add the cumin, coriander and fennel seeds to a 3- to 4-quart saucepan set over medium-low heat. Toast the spices, shaking the pan frequently, until they are fragrant and beginning to change color, 5 to 6 minutes. Remove the spices to a clean plate and let cool, then add them to a spice grinder and blend. Add the blended spices to a bowl with the hot paprika, sumac and cayenne and stir to combine. In a large bowl, add the ground lamb, spice blend, potato flakes, onion, yogurt, harissa, salt, garlic and egg. Combine gently with clean hands, using care to distribute all the flavorings evenly, but try to avoid pressing down or compacting the mixture. Lightly coat your hands with olive oil, then measure out 1 1/2 tablespoons of the mixture with an ice cream scooper and roll it into a meatball. Set aside in a baking dish. Repeat with the remaining mixture.
• Brown the meatballs in batches in the deep-fryer until they are golden brown and hold their shape, 3 to 5 minutes. The meatballs will continue to cook in the tomato sauce, so this step is to give them color and additional flavor. Remove the meatballs to a baking dish and set aside.
• For the spicy tomato sauce: Coat the same saucepan with more olive oil and set over medium heat. Add the onions and stir with a wooden spoon to collect any browned bits caught on the surface of the skillet. Sweat until the onions are slightly softened, 4 to 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant, an additional few minutes. Add the harissa and tomato paste and toast for 1 to 2 minutes. Add the blended tomatoes and stir. Season the mixture with salt and pepper and stir to combine. Simmer the sauce for about 20 minutes to allow the flavors to meld. Cover the meatballs with the sauce and transfer to the oven. Roast until the meatballs are fully cooked through and caramelized from the sauce, 10 to 15 minutes.
• Add the yogurt, mint, parsley and lemon zest to a small bowl, then season with salt. Stir to combine and adjust the seasoning as needed.
• Place dollops of the seasoned yogurt and top with the meatballs. Garnish the meatballs with crumbled feta and fresh dill tops.

Steps:

• In a large bowl, add the ground meat, minced garlic, chopped parsley, harissa, salt, paprika, cumin, coriander, sumac, turmeric, fennel, black pepper, garlic powder, and cinnamon.
• Use your hands to combine mixture, making sure not to overwork the meat.
• Grab a small handful of meat and push half a mozzarella ball into the center. Use your hands to gently roll the meat into a ball, sealing tightly where the mozzarella ball is nestled. Repeat until you have around 16 meatballs.
• Over medium-high heat, add olive oil into a saute pan or skillet. Once the oil is hot, drop the meatballs in and leave room so that they are not sticking to each other. As they cook on the pan, sprinkle a pinch of salt on each side.
• Allow each side of the meatball to get a nice dark brown sear before using a spoon to turn them over. Repeat this process until you have even browning.
• Once the meatballs are seared perfectly all around, lower the heat and cover for a bit (about 2 minutes) to make sure they're fully cooked in the center.
• Garnish with chili flakes for an extra kick and chopped parsley and serve.
• Enjoy!

Steps:

• In a small skillet over medium-low heat, toast cumin, coriander and fennel seeds until fragrant, 1 to 2 minutes. Transfer warm spices to a spice grinder and grind well, or use a mortar and pestle and pound seeds.
• In a large bowl, combine all ingredients and mix well. Form lamb mixture into desired shape (1-inch-thick by 5-inch-long cigars make nice merguez, but fatter cylinders or patties will also work). Chill for up to 5 days, freeze for up to 3 months, or use immediately.
• Brush sausages with oil and grill or broil them until browned and cooked through. Or fry them in a little oil until well browned all over. Serve with more cilantro and harissa on the side, if desired.