Moroccan Beef & Mushroom Tagine

Moroccan Beef & Mushroom Tagine by The Messy Baker

Moroccan Beef & Mushroom Tagine

Moroccan Beef & Mushroom Tagine by The Messy Baker

I’m not one for culinary deception. I have never understood why anyone would slip perfectly good spinach into brownie batter or sneak astringent cauliflower into banana muffins. Not only do the flavours conflict, such subterfuge gives respectable vegetables an inferiority complex. So, let me be perfectly clear. When I agreed to create a recipe for the Blend & Extend challenge, I was not treating mushrooms like the redheaded step-child of the food world. I was giving them equal billing.

The stated aim of this challenge is to blend ground beef with mushrooms to a) make beef go further and b) put some more vegetables into your diet without adding another side dish to your list of menu items. As an added bonus, I got c) my mushroom-hating husband to admit there are times when mushrooms are, in fact, enjoyable (you can read more details here.)

Because I was making meatballs without any binding agents such as bread crumbs or eggs, I wanted to make sure the moisture content of the mushrooms wouldn’t sabotage the dish. I used a 2 to 1 ratio of extra lean ground beef to mushroom (by weight, not volume) and selected cremini mushrooms for their firm texture. White mushrooms would do just fine. I considered portobello but wondered if the airy gills would provided the needed support.

I quartered the mushroom and then pulsed them in the food processor until they resembled couscous. If you don’t have a food processor, you could chop them by hand. Same goes for the onions. Don’t over-process them or you’ll have onion soup.

Minced mushrooms to the texture of couscous for blending with beef by The Messy Baker.

Better yet, you don’t need the classic, cone-topped tagine to make this Moroccan dish. All you need is a stove top, large skillet and a lid. Since it partially covers the skillet you don’t even need one that fits perfectly. My 12-inch skillet arrived from the store topless, so I used the lid from my maslin pan (canning gear comes in handy so often. Times like these justify the purchase).

The results? Spicy meatballs lounging in a bath of sauce. A shower of lemon juice and some thirsty flatbread is all you need to finish things off.

Moroccan Beef & Mushroom Tagine by The Messy Baker

Oh yes, and cilantro. If you’re not a cilantro fan, try parsley or a mix of parsley and mint. I won’t tell.

Moroccan Beef & Mushroom Tagine by The Messy Baker
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Moroccan Beef & Mushroom Tagine

Moroccan Beef & Mushroom Tagine by The Messy Baker

Tagine simply means stew. You can make this mushroom-infused Moroccan classic without the traditional cone-lidded tagine slaoui. A simple deep skillet and lid will do. All you need is something to absorb all the spicy sauce.

  • Prep Time: 30 mins
  • Cook Time: 45 mins
  • Total Time: 1 hour 15 mins

Ingredients

Meatballs

Instructions

Meatballs

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Disclosure: Occasionally, I work with brands when I feel their product or service fits my from-scratch, real-food mentality. This is one of those times.  I received compensation from Mushrooms Canada for developing, photographing and posting this recipe. I’m a fussy discerning eater, so I post only recipes I’d serve at my own table. This one passed. With flying colours.

6 Comments
  • Mushrooms Canada
    Posted at 10:28h, 08 July

    Another fantastic recipe Charmian! I love the spiciness to this dish- definitely one I’d serve at my own table!!

    -Shannon

  • Charmian Christie
    Posted at 11:50h, 08 July

    Thanks! I love Moroccan spices and how they seem to go with almost any ingredient. I’m thrilled you find it worthy of your table.

  • Britt @ My Daily Randomness
    Posted at 12:04h, 08 July

    You bet I’ll be giving this recipe a whirl! Looks & sounds delicious Charmian! 🙂

  • Caroline @ Shrinking Single
    Posted at 17:18h, 08 July

    Looks delicious. Love mushrooms and dishes that sneak in vegetables without adding an extra pan.

  • Ice
    Posted at 07:39h, 13 July

    Hi Charmian! I am envious of this beef and mushroom recipe! I would love to try to make some of those soon. I’d love it if you’d comment back http://spillovercoffee.com.

  • www.wonderfulcook.com
    Posted at 22:43h, 29 December

    This dish sounds delicious! Can’t wait to try it out next week! Thank you for the recipe!