Merguez Flatbread with Tahini Yogurt and Harissa

Recipe provided by | Chef Alicia Jenish-McCarron

Servings: 8

Merguez Flatbread V2.jpg

INGREDIENTS

9 ounces flatbread dough

2 cups merguez (recipe follows)

1/4 cup feta, crumbled

1 lemon, pared, thinly sliced, seeded 1

1 red onion, thinly sliced

1/2 cup tahini Yogurt (recipe follows)

2 tablespoons harissa (recipe follows)

1/3 cup mint leaves, torn

2 tablespoons pine nuts, toasted

Merguez:

1/2 pound ground American Lamb

1/2 teaspoon cumin, toasted and ground

1/2 teaspoon coriander, toasted and ground

1 teaspoon paprika

1/2 teaspoon lemon zest

1 tablespoon lemon juice

1 tablespoon red wine

2 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil, divided

1-1/2 teaspoons kosher salt

2 tablespoons mint, packed then chopped

2 tablespoons parsley, packed then chopped

Tahini Yogurt (makes 1 cup):

1/3 cup Greek yogurt

1 tablespoon tahini

1-1/2 teaspoons toasted black sesame seeds

3/4 teaspoon lemon juice

3/4 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil

1-1/2 tablespoons water

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt


Harissa (makes about 2 tablespoons – or use a mild premade harissa):

1/2 teaspoon coriander seed, toasted and ground

1/2 teaspoon fennel seed, toasted and ground

1/2 teaspoon cumin seed, toasted and ground

1/2 teaspoon caraway seed, toasted and ground

1 tablespoon chile paste (or pureed roasted pepper)

1/2 teaspoon minced garlic

1/2 teaspoon minced preserved lemon

1/2 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil

DIRECTIONS

METHOD:

Lightly spray baking sheet with oil.  Roll flatbread dough into two 6-inch x 12-inch rectangles.  Crumble and cover each with about 1 cup Merguez. Sprinkle each with 2 tablespoons feta, 6 slices lemon and slivers of red onion.  Bake at 450°F until the dough is toasted and brown, about 12 minutes.

Remove from oven and drizzle each with 1 tablespoon of Harissa and 1/4 cup of Tahini Yogurt.  Sprinkle with fresh mint and pine nuts. Slice and serve.

For the Merguez:  In a bowl, combine lamb, cumin, coriander, paprika, lemon zest and juice, wine, half the oil and salt.  Refrigerate for at least one hour. In large skillet, heat remaining oil; cook lamb until browned, about 4 minutes over high heat.  Pour off excess fat. Stir in mint and parsley.

For the Tahini:  In a mixing bowl, combine yogurt, Tahini, sesame seeds, lemon juice, oil, water and salt.  Mix thorough; reserve for finishing.

For the Harissa:  In a blender, combine coriander, fennel, cumin, caraway, chile paste, garlic, lemon and oil; puree until smooth.

Recipe and image provided by the American Lamb Board