Best Merguez With Halloumi And Flame Roasted Peppers Recipes

HOMEMADE MERGUEZ

Homemade Merguez image

Provided by Melissa Clark

Time 15m

Yield About 1 pound of sausages

Number Of Ingredients 11

Ingredients

1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds
1/2 teaspoon coriander seeds
1/2 teaspoon fennel seeds
1 pound ground lamb
2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, finely chopped; more for serving
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
1 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper, or to taste
Olive oil, for cooking
Harissa, for serving (optional)

Steps:

In a small skillet over medium-low heat, toast cumin, coriander and fennel seeds until fragrant, 1 to 2 minutes. Transfer warm spices to a spice grinder and grind well, or use a mortar and pestle and pound seeds.
In a large bowl, combine all ingredients and mix well. Form lamb mixture into desired shape (1-inch-thick by 5-inch-long cigars make nice merguez, but fatter cylinders or patties will also work). Chill for up to 5 days, freeze for up to 3 months, or use immediately.
Brush sausages with oil and grill or broil them until browned and cooked through. Or fry them in a little oil until well browned all over. Serve with more cilantro and harissa on the side, if desired.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 228, UnsaturatedFat 10 grams, Carbohydrate 1 gram, Fat 19 grams, Fiber 0 grams, Protein 13 grams, SaturatedFat 8 grams, Sodium 185 milligrams, Sugar 0 grams

GRILLED MERGUEZ AND ONIONS WITH MINT-LEMON COUSCOUS

Grilled Merguez and Onions With Mint-Lemon Couscous image

In this summery salad, spicy merguez are grilled until seared, then served over a mound of couscous and vegetables that have been seasoned with herbs, cumin and plenty of lemon. Red onions wedges, grilled on one side only, are charred and caramelized in some parts while staying crisp and pungent in others. If you can't get merguez (which are traditional North African sausages made from lamb, beef or a combination of both), you can substitute any other spicy sausages. Choose something with a bite to contrast with the juicy sweetness of fresh tomatoes and cucumbers. Note that those without grill access can easily use the broiler here.

Provided by Melissa Clark

Categories weekday, grains and rice, sausages, main course

Time 45m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 15

Ingredients

2 1/4 cups boiling water
2 cups couscous (regular or whole wheat)
1 1/2 teaspoons salt, plus more as needed
2 lemons
2 teaspoons ground cumin
Freshly ground black pepper
1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil, plus more as needed
1/2 cup thinly sliced radishes
1 red onion, peeled and cut into 1 1/2-inch wedges
8 ounces merguez (lamb or beef)
1 cup halved cherry tomatoes
1 cup roughly chopped mint leaves, plus more for garnish
1 cup roughly chopped parsley leaves and stems, plus more for garnish
1/2 cup thinly sliced cucumber
1/4 cup toasted pine nuts or slivered almonds

Steps:

Make the couscous: In a medium, heat-resistant bowl, combine boiling water, couscous and 1 teaspoon salt, and cover with a plate or lid. Let sit until the water is absorbed, 7 to 12 minutes. Fluff with a fork and set aside.
Meanwhile, light the grill to medium-high or heat your broiler with the rack 3 inches from the heat source.
Halve lemons crosswise and then squeeze the juice from one half into a large bowl. Add cumin, remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper. Slowly whisk in 1/3 cup olive oil. Stir in radishes and set aside to marinate.
Place onion wedges and remaining 3 lemon halves, cut-side down, in a grill basket and grill until charred on one side only, 2 to 4 minutes. Or place on a sheet pan and broil until charred, 5 minutes. Transfer onions and lemons to a cutting board.
Either on the grill, or on the same sheet pan as you used for the onions, grill or broil merguez until browned all over, 2 to 4 minutes per side. Transfer sausages to a cutting board and cover with foil to keep warm while you assemble the salad.
When onion is cool enough to handle, dice it and add to radishes. Fold in couscous, tomatoes, 1/2 cup mint, 1/2 cup parsley, cucumbers, nuts and a large pinch of salt. Squeeze the juice from a charred lemon half into the bowl. Taste and add more salt and lemon, if needed. Slice merguez on a bias into 1/2-inch pieces.
To serve, spoon couscous salad onto a platter, then top with sausages and any accumulated juices. Garnish with remaining herbs and a big drizzle of olive oil, and serve with remaining charred lemon halves on the side for more squeezing.