Moroccan Lamb Pastilla

Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Moroccan
Servings 4 people

Ingredients
  

  • 100 grams couscous
  • 2 onions
  • 4 cloves garlic cloves
  • 60 grams sultanas
  • olive oil
  • 1 tsp ground tumeric
  • ½ tsp cumin seeds
  • 250 grams left over lamb
  • 70 grams feta
  • 4 large sheets filo pastry
  • 1 tsp flaked almonds or sesame seeds
  • 1 tsp icing sugar heaped
  • ½ tsp ground cinammon
  • 4 tbsp fat free natural yogurt
  • 1 tbsp harissa

Instructions
 

  • Pop the couscous into a small bowl, just cover with boiling water, then put a plate on top and leave for 10 minutes.
  • Peel and finely chop the onions and garlic along with the sultanas and place in a large pan on a medium heat with a lug of oil, the turmeric and cumin seeds. Fry for around 15 minutes, or until softened, stirring occasionally.
  • Finely shred the lamb, add to the pan and cook for a further 5 minutes, then remove the pan from the heat.
  • Fluff up the couscous and stir it through the lamb mixture with the crumbled feta, then season to perfection, going heavy on the black pepper.
  • Preheat the oven to 180c.
  • Working fairly quickly, as filo dries out easily, lay out the 4 pastry sheets on a clean work surface and brush with oil.  Divide the lamb mixture between them, laying it along the shortest edge of each sheet.
  • Roll each one up halfway, fold in the sides, then continue rolling up like big cigars. Place them on a non-stick baking tray, brush the tops with a little oil and crumble over the almonds, or sprinkle with the sesame seeds.
  • Sieve over the icing sugar and cinnamon from a height, then bake for around 25 minutes, or until golden and crisp.
  • Serve with yoghurt, rippled with harissa or chilli oil, for dipping. Delicious with a simple green salad on the side.
original recipe