Harissa Meatballs with Whipped Feta

Harissa meatballs with whipped feta is a delicious and flavorful dish that combines spicy North African flavors with creamy whipped feta cheese. Here’s a simple recipe to guide you through making this mouthwatering dish:

Ingredients for Harissa Meatballs:

• 500g ground meat (beef, lamb, chicken, or turkey)
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons harissa paste (adjust to your spice preference)
• 1/4 cup breadcrumbs
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Olive oil, for frying

Ingredients for Whipped Feta:

• 200g feta cheese, crumbled
• 1/4 cup Greek yogurt
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• Freshly ground black pepper

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F).
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground meat, finely chopped onion, minced garlic, harissa paste, breadcrumbs, egg, ground cumin, ground coriander, salt, and pepper. Mix everything thoroughly until well combined.
3. Shape the mixture into meatballs, about 1 to 1.5 inches in diameter. You can wet your hands slightly to prevent the mixture from sticking.
4. Heat some olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the meatballs to the pan and cook until they are browned on all sides. This step helps to give them a nice crust, but they won’t be fully cooked yet.
5. Transfer the browned meatballs to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and place them in the preheated oven. Bake for about 15-20 minutes or until the meatballs are fully cooked through.
6. While the meatballs are baking, prepare the whipped feta. In a food processor or blender, combine the crumbled feta, Greek yogurt, lemon juice, and olive oil. Blend until smooth and creamy. Add a few grinds of black pepper to taste. If the consistency is too thick, you can add a little more yogurt or olive oil.
7. Once the meatballs are cooked, remove them from the oven and let them rest for a few minutes.
8. Serve the harissa meatballs with the whipped feta on the side or drizzled over the top. You can garnish with fresh herbs like chopped parsley or cilantro for added freshness and color.

This dish is best enjoyed with warm pita bread or couscous, and a side of salad or roasted vegetables. The combination of spicy harissa meatballs and creamy whipped feta is sure to be a hit at your dinner table! Enjoy!