harissa paste

[noddyholder]

can i use this to make chilli con carne instead of trad method?i have a small tin and have only used it in vegi stews before so not sure but it is firey

[kreecherlivesupstairs]

Yes you can, but proceed with caution. My dh loves spicy food so generally I make chilli so it is palatable to me and dd and he adds either chili flakes of harissa paste or chilli oil to his. A pot of plain yoghurt will reduce any fieryness too.

[noddyholder]

Thanks I already did it as I couldn't be bothered to go out!It is hot but will be ok with a huge dollop of yoghurt

[MrsBlennerhasset]

Ooh I've got a jar of harissa and no idea how to use it. Do you just use it in place of chillis in things then?

[GetOrfMoiLand]

I had this at the weekend (is from Nigella Feast) and I was so impressed by how bloody gorgeous it was I posted it on a recipe thread here.

Is well worth a try as it is utterly scrummy. If you can't be arsed to make the meatballs it will be just as nice without served with some lovely bread.

Tunisian Harissa Stew

For Lamb Meatballs:

500g mince lamb
1 onionm very finely diced
2 tsp cumin
2 tsp coriander powder
2 tsp ground ginger
rock salt
egg, beaten.

For Stew

2 onions, chopped finely.
1 red onion, sliced into half moons
1 stick celery, chopped finely
1 sweet potato, chopped
2 parsnips, chopped
1/2 swede, chopped
3 cloves garlic
100g ready to eat apricots, each apricot cut into quarters
1 tsp turmeric
1 tsp ground ginger
2 x tins chopped tomatoes
700ml chicken stock (use Marco Pierre White Knorr tubs)
Thumb sized bit root ginger, chopped
Whole jar rose harissa (I buy this from the poncey foods section of Sainsbos)

Pomegranate seeds
Chopped fresh coriander

-To make the meatballs, combine all meatball ingredients in bowl and leave for 20 mins. Then make into meatballs - half a desertspoon of mixture per meatball. Makes around 25-30ish meatballs. Fry these off in batches and set aside.

-Stew. Poor a hefty slug of oil in largest pan you have. Put in onion, celery, sweet potato, parsnip, swede, garlic, fresh ginger, apricots. I tend to chop these up and put them in as I go.

-Then add spices, tomatoes, rose harissa and stock. Season with salt and pepper and then leave on slow simmer for aabout hour and half.

-Add meatballs and heat through. To serve scatter pomeranate seeds and corainder on top. I serve this with Ainsley Harriot couscous with sultanas mixed in, with mint and yoghurt sauce on the side.

Yummy yummy yummy.

[GetOrfMoiLand]

Or, a spoonfull of harissa mixed with some shop bought houmous is luvverly.

[MrsBlennerhasset]

Ooh thanks Get Orf, that looks lovely and I've got some lamb mince int freezer too

[noddyholder]

I think its the best chilli I've done actually.It looks a great colour too!

[MrsBlennerhasset]

How much did you put in Noddy?

[noddyholder]

One big tablespoon and it is the right heat for once!the proof will be tonight when we eat it!I tasted it yesterday and it was really nice and the colour is like fire!I also use it to make a spicy veg and chick pea stew and its great

[ChopsTheDuck]

That stew sounds lovely, will bookmark that. Do you think could substitute the lamb for pork or venison mince? Don't actually have any lamb in the freezer.

[MrsBlennerhasset]

Crikey, I was just printing off that Nigella recipe and noticed that it says a whole jar of harissa paste. Given that Noddy put in a tablespoon and it was hot enough I'm wondering what to do. Are some harissa pastes milder, or is the jar quite small or is it a Blow Your Head Off stew?!

[AvadaKedavra]

I use harissa spread onto veggies or chicken to be ovenroasted, delicious!

[lilolilmanchester]

quick hijack if I may while there are so many harissa experts around.... how long does it last after opening (stored in fridge). Thanks

[SomeGuy]

Forever. I wouldn't worry. We have it in a tube and it's not refrigerated.

[MitchyInge]

it's lovely on toast, with cheese on top, then grill the cheese

argh I am STARVING

why don't we have any cheese? or cheese cake?

[SexyDomesticatedDad]

The last jar I had was a small one from Asda - its pretty strong stuff. Does irritate me when recipes says a jar - what bloody size jar - even Nigella does it aarrrghhh!

Seen the recipe in the book but not yet got round to doing it - looks a good winter dish though.

[SomeGuy]

If you want to know what size jars Nigella is referring to, just check the Waitrose website.

Seriously.

[cupcakelady]

Be careful about it not being refridgerated. I had a opened tube in the cupboard and it puffed up. who would have thought?

Would never have thought any bugs could grown in it. Must have been chilli loving bacteria.