Middle Eastern Lamb on Cauliflower Puree
Serves: 4
GF DF RSF
Ingredients:
FOR THE MIDDLE EASTERN LAMB
600 g lamb mince
400 g butternut pumpkin, chopped into rough chunks
400 g cauliflower, cut into small florets
2 heaped tablespoons harissa paste
400 g tinned cherry tomatoes
125 ml (1/2 cup) chicken broth or beef broth
Extra virgin olive oil for frying and drizzling
Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper, to season
1/4 red onion, sliced into very fine rings
Juice and zest of 1 lemon
Baby mint leaves, kept whole, to garnish
Fresh pomegranate seeds, to garnish, optional
FOR THE CAULIFLOWER MASH
800 g cauliflower, broken into florets, stalks roughly chopped
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil or butter
Method:
For the cauliflower mash, steam or boil your cauliflower until very tender. Remove from the heat and set aside to cool slightly. Transfer the cauliflower to a powerful food processor and blitz until it begins to break down. Add a few glugs of olive oil or some butter and continue to blitz until you get a lovely smooth puree. Turn out into a saucepan over medium-low heat to keep warm whilst you get onto your lamb.
In a large high-rimmed fry pan over medium-high heat, add a swig of olive oil and add the pumpkin and cauliflower florets for 5-6 minutes until the outsides become a little golden brown and they begin to soften.
Add in the lamb mince and continue to cook, stirring so you can brown all the mince, once browned all over, stir in the harissa paste, tinned cherry tomatoes and broth, mixing well to combine. Bring it to a simmer and cook on medium stirring as you go, until the sauce reduces and it becomes lovely and thick and fragrant.
Meanwhile, in a small bowl, toss together the thinly sliced red onion, mint leaves, lemon zest, juice and a tablespoon of olive oil. Set this garnish aside ready for serving.
To plate up, start with a base of cauliflower puree, top with the delicious aromatic lamb, and finish off with a garnish of the dressed red onion and mint leaves. Add a splash of colour and flavour with a scattering if pomegranate seeds if using. Dig in and enjoy.
