Moroccan meatballs & couscous

My foodie penpal this month (reveal on the last day of the month, so stay tuned!) sent me a lovely Moroccan spice blend in my package. I used this last night to make some fragrant meatballs! Of course the perfect accompaniment to Moroccan meatballs is couscous! Luckily my children love this so the whole dinner went down very well. I used half the recommended amount of spice to keep it mild for them. It means I have plenty left to make these again!

Meatballs -

500g pork mince
50g breadcrumbs
1 tablespoon Moroccan spice blend

Sauce -

2 tins tomatoes
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon cinnamon
Pinch of chilli powder
Salt & pepper
1 garlic clove, crushed
1 onion, finely chopped


Cous cous

200g dried couscous
Enough stock to cover the couscous
Chopped parsley
Small knob of butter
Squeeze of lemon juice

To make the meatballs, mix the mince with the spice blend and the breadcrumbs. Form into about 20 little meatballs and place into a large casserole dish. Pop into the oven at 210C for 20 minutes.

Meanwhile, start your sauce by frying the diced onion & garlic in a little olive oil or butter. Add the chilli powder, cumin & cinnamon and stir fry for 2 minutes. Add the tinned tomatoes and allow to simmer for 10 minutes & thicken. Season to taste.

Pour the sauce over the meatballs and return to the oven for another 10 minutes. Pour the stock over the couscous and allow to absorb for 7 minutes. Once the liquid has all gone, add a small squeeze of lemon juice, a small knob of butter and the chopped parsley. Mix through, spoon into plates & add the saucy meatballs.