Crispy Lamb Mince Bowl with Couscous and Salady Bits

Name: Crispy Lamb Mince Bowl with Couscous and Salad
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 4
Cuisine: Moroccan
Ingredients: For the lamb:; 1 tbsp olive oil; 500g lamb mince; 1 tsp ground turmeric; 1 tsp smoked paprika; 1 tsp ground cumin; Salt and freshly ground black pepper; 1 tbsp harissa; 350g giant couscous; 1 cloves garlic, crushed; 1 tbsp olive oil; Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste; 20g fresh mint, roughly chopped; 20g parsley, roughly chopped; 1 red onion, sliced; Juice of ½ lemon; Salt, to taste; 350g cherry tomatoes, diced; ½ cucumber, peeled and diced; Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste; 4 tbsp crispy onions; 2 tbsp pomegranate seeds (optional); Fresh coriander; 4 tbsp full-fat Greek yoghurt; Sumac, for sprinkling; Olive oil, to drizzle

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This Crispy Lamb Mince Bowl with Couscous and Salady Bits has to be one of my favourite lamb mince recipes. I know what you are thinking, with a name that long it must be complicated. Trust me, it really isn’t! You are just 30 minutes away from the most incredible meal packed FULL of flavour and texture. The combination of soft, nutty giant couscous and spicy, smoky crispy lamb mince is incredible. That is before we even get onto the toppings. Think tangy pickled onions, cooling cucumber and tomato salad, a dollop of fresh Greek yoghurt and a sprinkling of jewelled pomegranate seeds and crispy onions. So good. If you don’t usually cook with lamb mince, this is a great place to start…

I truly think lamb mince is one of the most underrated ingredients. Apart from Shepherd’s Pie, you don’t see many lamb mince recipes. However, it works brilliantly in Greek and Middle Eastern recipes like koftas or my Lamb Burgers with Tzatziki and Pesto. Here, the lamb mince is pan-fried with spices over a high heat to create the most deliciously crispy texture. Don’t be tempted to rush this step! Keep cooking until you have a deep golden-brown colour and slightly ‘gnarly’ appearance. The rest of the recipe is super versatile. I have kept the giant couscous simple with garlic and herbs, but a squeeze of lemon and some dried apricots/raisins would be lovely. Then all that’s left is to get creative with all the wonderfully vibrant toppings. They are a final flourish with really take this Crispy Lamb Mince Bowl to the next level.

Why you will love this Crispy Lamb Mince Bowl with Couscous and Salady Bits recipe:

It is quick and easy. The perfect midweek meal that is on the table in under 30 minutes.
It is versatile. You can swap the lamb mince for beef or pork. The giant couscous can also be switched for all sorts of grains.
It is full of flavour and texture thanks to the crispy lamb, spicy harissa and fluffy, nutty giant couscous. Not to mention the tangy pickled onions, fresh herbs, cooling cucumber salad, creamy Greek yoghurt and crispy onions.
It can easily be scaled up to cook for a crowd.

You wil need the following ingredients:

Full recipe can be found in the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post, just scroll down

Olive oil - this adds a mild, fruity flavour to this crispy lamb mince recipe. You can use a flavoured rapeseed oil too - Borderfields have some lovely flavours.

Lamb mince - opt for good-quality lamb mince from ethically raised lambs. You need a decent fat percentage of around 20%.

Spices - the combination of turmeric, paprika and cumin brings an aromatic, smoky, spiced flavour to the lamb mince.

Salt - this adds flavour and helps create the irresistibly crispy lamb mince. I recommend Maldon Salt Flakes. Both their chilli and garlic flavours would be delicious too.

Black pepper - this adds a subtle warmth. You can use mixed peppercorns for a more complex flavour.

Harissa paste - I always have a jar of this North African spicy, smoky, garlicky chilli paste in my larder. It packs so much flavour into all sorts of lamb recipes. I also love it swirled through yoghurt or mayonnaise for a quick dip.

Giant couscous - also known as ‘Israeli couscous’. This has a fluffy, chewy texture and nutty flavour that contrasts perfectly with the crispy lamb mince.

Fresh herbs - I have used a combination of mint, parsley and coriander as they all work beautifully with lamb mince.

Garlic - this adds a subtle garlicky flavour to the giant couscous salad. You can use garlic paste or a shake of garlic granules if you don’t have fresh.

Red onion - this has a more subtle flavour than a white onion and can be eaten raw (or quickly pickled).

Lemon - this brings acidity to pickle the red onion. You can also add some of the zest to the giant couscous salad for a zingy flavour.

Cherry tomatoes - plump and juicy cherry tomatoes make a delicious salad. You can use baby plum tomatoes instead.

Cucumber - diced cucumber is super refreshing and creates a wonderfully cooling, crunchy salad.

More ingredients for serving:

Crispy onions - these are a store cupboard staple in my house. They add a delicious onion flavour and irresistibly crunchy texture.

Pomegranate seeds - a sprinkling of pomegranate seeds adds a final flourish atop the lamb mince. Not only do they look so pretty, they bring a tangy, sweet flavour.

Greek yoghurt - a dollop of cooling Greek yoghurt complements the spicy lamb mince perfectly. Opt for full-fat for best results.

Sumac - this is made from dried and ground wild sumac berries. I love adding a sprinkling to all sorts of dishes to bring a tangy, sour flavour similar to that of lemon juice.

Crispy Lamb Mince Bowl with Couscous and Salad

Substitutions and Variations:

Mince: although this is one of my favourite lamb mince recipes, you can definitely swap for other types. Both beef and pork mince work well. You want a decent fat percentage of around 20% for the best flavour and texture.
Giant couscous: I love the contrasting textures of the crispy lamb mince and f
Harissa: I have used a classic harissa for my crispy lamb mince, but you can get all sorts of flavours. Have fun trying out the more floral rose or fruity apricot varieties.
Dried fruit: I have kept the giant couscous simple with garlic and fresh herbs. You can also add some chopped rehydrated dried apricots or plump and juicy raisins for a fruity twist.
Greek yoghurt: a cooling dollop of Greek yoghurt works really well with any spicy lamb mince recipe. I sometimes use labneh which has a thicker, creamier texture and tangy, salty flavour. Why not try my Garlic Labneh recipe? Alternatively, a spoonful of sour cream or crème fraîche would work well.
Fresh herbs: I use mint and parsley in the giant couscous and garnish with fresh coriander. You can mix and match the herbs or swap for finely chopped chives or spring onions.
Nuts: add extra crunch by garnishing with toasted chopped nuts just before serving. Pine nuts, cashews, almonds or hazelnuts all work well. Don’t skip on the toasting - it really brings out the delicious flavours.

Directions:

Here's a step by step guide for what you need to do, but you can find the full recipe below for detailed instructions.

ONE: Add the oil to a large non-stick frying pan and place over a medium-high heat. Once hot, crumble in the lamb mince and sprinkle in the spices. Season well then break up with the back of a wooden spoon to remove any clumps.

TWO: Continue to cook for 5-10 minutes, stirring as needed to stop it from sticking to the pan, or until deliciously golden and crispy.

THREE: Stir in the harissa and continue to cook for 1 minute.

FOUR: Boil the giant couscous according to packet instructions. Drain well and tip into a bowl. Whilst still hot, add the crushed garlic and olive oil. Season generously and stir well.

FIVE: Make the tomato and cucumber salad. Put the diced tomatoes and cucumber into a bowl. Mix well and season to taste.

SIX: To assemble, scoop the couscous into bowls. Top with the crispy lamb, followed by the tomato and cucumber salad and pickled red onion. Scatter over crispy onions, pomegranate seeds and fresh coriander.

Cooking Tips:

Crispy lamb: don’t be afraid to keep cooking the lamb mince. It needs to be cooked until crispy and caramelised for the very best texture.
Balancing flavours: harissa is known to be spicy. If you feel the lamb mince is too fiery, drizzle with a little honey or pomegranate molasses for sweetness. You can also squeeze over some lemon juice for a bit of tang.
Giant couscous: for extra flavour, you could add ½ a chicken or vegetable stock cube to the water when boiling the giant couscous.
Make ahead: you can prepare the giant couscous in advance and keep it in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to use lamb mince?

Not at all. I use lamb mince here as I really don’t think there are enough lamb mince recipes out there. However, you can use pretty much any kind of mince you fancy. Just make sure it has a decent fat percentage of around 20%. Both beef and pork work brilliantly.

What is harissa?

One of my favourite store cupboard essentials! In all seriousness, harissa is a delicious smoky, spicy chilli pepper paste from Tunisia. You will often find it in all sorts of North African and Middle Eastern recipes. It is super easy to whizz up your own in a blender using roasted peppers, spices (recipes vary but they often have cumin, coriander and caraway seeds), herbs, chillies and olive oil. Alternatively, you can buy a jar (there is never any judgement from me!). It can be used in SO many different ways… It is delicious as a marinade or stirred through soups. You will also see it added to sauces and tagines, swirled through yoghurt or hummus for a spicy dip, or spread on toast. My latest obsession is adding a generous dollop to shakshuka for a smoky, spicy brunch.

What could I serve the lamb mince with instead of couscous?

Personally, I love the contrast of the crispy lamb and soft, nutty giant couscous. However, it is equally delicious with rice, regular couscous or bulgur wheat. Alternatively, pop it into a flatbread and serve it like a wrap with hummus and Greek yoghurt.

Other recipes you might enjoy:

If you like the sound of my Crispy Lamb Mince Bowl with Couscous and Salady Bits, I have lots of other delicious recipes for you to try! My Harissa Cod with Cherry Tomatoes is the ultimate weeknight winner. It is FULL of flavour and texture, made in one tin and ready in just 30 minutes. Also don’t miss my Harissa Yoghurt Chicken with Couscous. It is one of my favourite working from home lunches or simple suppers (the herby drizzle is seriously good). I also have to mention my Chicken Kofta. They are light, fresh and flavoursome (thanks to the combination of fresh herbs, rich tomato sauce and zesty lemon yoghurt). You won’t believe how simple they are to make!

Made this recipe and loved it?

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