Who knew meatballs could be 4 of your 5-a-day? This healthy tagine is full of flavour and low on fat, just make sure you choose a lean mince with 5% fat
Prep:10 mins
Serves 4
2 onions, 1 quartered, 1 halved and sliced2 tbsp tomato purée2 garlic cloves1 egg1 tbsp chilli powder500g pack extra-lean beef mince2 tsp rapeseed oil4 large carrots, cut into batons1 tsp ground cumin2 tsp ground coriander400g can chopped tomatoes1 lemon, zest removed with a potato peeler, then chopped12 Kalamata olives, chopped1 tbsp vegetable bouillon powder⅓ pack fresh coriander, chopped
STEP 1Put the quartered onion in the food processor and process to finely chop it. Add the minced beef, 1 tbsp tomato purée, the garlic, egg and chilli powder and blitz to make a smoothish paste. Divide the mixture into 26 even-sized pieces and roll into balls.STEP 2Heat the oil in a large frying pan and cook the meatballs for about 5-10 mins to lightly brown them. Tip from the pan onto a plate.STEP 3Now add the sliced onion and carrots to the pan and stir fry briefly in the pan juices to soften them a little. Add the spices and pour in the tomatoes with 1 ½ cans of water then stir in the chopped lemon zest, remaining tomato purée, olives and bouillon powder. Return the meatballs to the pan then cover and cook for 15 mins until the carrots are just tender. Stir in the coriander.STEP 4While the tagine is cooking, tip the bulgur into a pan with the chickpeas and water from the can. Add 2 cans of water, the bouillon and coriander. Cover and cook for 10 mins until the bulgur is tender and the liquid had been absorbed. If you’re doing the Healthy Diet Plan (serving two people), serve half with half of the tagine and chill the remainder for another night if you like.
