Lamb and pine nut koftas with eggplant salad

SERVES 4 PREP AND COOK TIME 1 HOUR 15 MINUTES ½ cup (80g) pine nuts, chopped finely 1 cup (120g) almond meal

2 garlic cloves, chopped finely ½ medium (75g) white onion, chopped finely

500g lamb mince

1 teaspoon ras al hanout spice blend 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil small pitta breads, to serve

EGGPLANT SALAD

2 large (1kg) eggplant

2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 1 teaspoon smoked paprika 2 medium (150g) ripe roma tomatoes, chopped finely

½ small (50g) red onion, sliced thinly 3 sprigs fresh oregano

2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil small pitta breads, to serve ¼ cup (70g) tahini 1 tablespoon lemon juice ½ teaspoon ground cumin ¼ cup (60ml) warm water

1 Add the pine nuts, almond meal, garlic, onion, lamb mince and ras al hanout in a medium bowl. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Using clean hands, mix well. Roll heaped tablespoons of mixture in your hand to form a thick torpedo shape; place on a tray. Refrigerate while preparing Eggplant Salad.

2 EGGPLANT SALAD Preheat oven to 200°C (180°C fan-forced). Line an oven tray with baking paper. Cut eggplant in half and score flesh deeply in a criss-cross pattern. Brush olive oil over cut surface; sprinkle with paprika; season with sea salt flakes and freshly ground black pepper. Transfer eggplant halves to baking tray, skin side down, and roast for 50 to 60 minutes or until very tender. Using a spoon, scoop out the flesh and transfer to a bowl. Add tomato, onion, oregano leaves and olive oil; stir gently to combine.

3 TAHINI DRESSING Add tahini, lemon juice, cumin and sea-salt flakes and freshly ground pepper to taste in a small bowl; stir to combine. Slowly add the warm water until it reaches a creamy consistency.

4 Heat a large non-stick frying pan with half the olive oil over a medium to high heat, pan fry the meatballs in batches for 6 to 8 minutes or until golden brown all over and cooked through.

5 Serve the meatballs with Eggplant Salad and Tahini Dressing on small pitta breads. Meatballs suitable to freeze. Not suitable to microwave.