Description
These Moroccan turkey meatballs with citrus couscous are a flavorful and aromatic dish featuring tender spiced turkey meatballs cooked to perfection and served alongside fluffy couscous infused with fresh orange zest and segments. The warm spices like cumin, coriander, cinnamon, and chili powder provide a delightful North African flair, while the bright citrus notes add a refreshing contrast, making this a vibrant and healthy meal ideal for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Meatballs
- 500g turkey mince
- 2 tsp chilli powder
- 2 tsp ground cumin
- 2 tsp ground coriander
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1 onion, coarsely grated
- Zest of 1 orange
Couscous
- 250g couscous
- 250ml hot chicken stock
- Chopped segments of 1 peeled orange
Other
- 2 tsp olive oil
- Small bunch coriander, roughly chopped
- Seasoning (salt and pepper) to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the meatball mixture: In a large bowl, combine the turkey mince, chilli powder, ground cumin, ground coriander, cinnamon, coarsely grated onion, and orange zest. Mix thoroughly with your hands until all the ingredients are evenly incorporated.
- Shape the meatballs: Take portions of the mixture and roll into approximately 20 walnut-sized meatballs, ensuring they are compact and evenly sized for uniform cooking.
- Prepare the couscous: Place the couscous in a bowl and pour over the hot chicken stock. Cover the bowl with cling film and let it stand for 10 minutes to absorb the liquid and soften.
- Cook the meatballs: Heat the olive oil in a frying pan over medium heat. Add the meatballs and cook for about 12 minutes, turning them frequently to brown all sides evenly and ensure they are cooked through.
- Fluff and season the couscous: Once the couscous has absorbed the stock, fluff it up gently with a fork. Stir in the chopped orange segments, roughly chopped coriander, and season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve: Spoon the citrus couscous onto plates and pile the warm Moroccan turkey meatballs on top. Garnish with extra coriander if desired and serve immediately.
Notes
- For a different take, try making Moroccan turkey jackets by frying the turkey mince with spices and orange zest, then spooning the mixture over baked sweet potatoes and topping with yogurt.
- You can substitute chicken stock with vegetable stock to make the dish lighter.
- Adjust the chilli powder quantity to control the heat level according to your taste.
- Use fresh orange for best citrus flavor; canned or bottled orange segments might alter the taste and texture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Moroccan
Keywords: Moroccan turkey meatballs, citrus couscous, turkey mince recipe, spiced meatballs, easy dinner, healthy dinner, North African cuisine
