Cat Cora will be catering the Elton John Aids Foundation Annual Academy Awards Viewing Party in LA. Her award-winning menu will consist of sesame encrusted lamb meatballs with harissa yogurt, sauteed sea bass with lemon couscous and piquillo pepper saffron sauce, and chocolate budino with whipped cream and fresh berries.
To help get everyone in the spirit of the Oscars, Cora shared the recipe for one of her menu items. Check it out below!
Sesame Encrusted Lamb Meatball with a Harissa Yogurt, White Bean-Tahini Puree and Crisp Mint
Makes 12 servings
Sweet Harissa Yogurt Sauce:
1 cup plain Greek-style yogurt
2 tbsp. honey
1 tbsp. harissa paste
1 tbsp. orange juice
2 tsp. Ground Valencia Orange Peel
1 tsp. Ground Ginger
1/2 tsp. Saigon Cinnamon
Toasted Sesame Seed-Crusted Lamb Meatballs:
1 lb. lean ground lamb
1/2 cup finely chopped onion
1/4 cup plain bread crumbs
1 egg, beaten
1 1/2 tsp. Ground Allspice
1 tsp. Ground Coriander
1 tsp. Ground Cumin
1 tsp. Mint Flakes
1 tsp. Sicilian Sea Salt
1/2 tsp. Black Peppercorns, coarsely ground
2 jars (1.62 oz. each) Toasted Sesame Seeds (about 2/3 cup)
Mint leaves, whole, fried, for garnish
For the Yogurt Sauce, mix all ingredients in small bowl until well blended. Cover. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
For the Meatballs, mix lamb, onion, bread crumbs, egg and seasonings in large bowl. Shape into 36 (1-inch) meatballs. Roll in sesame seed to coat evenly. Place on foil-lined shallow baking pan.
Bake in preheated 400°F oven 15 minutes or until lightly browned and cooked through. Drain on paper towels. Serve with Yogurt Sauce, white bean tahini puree and fried whole mint leaves on top as garnish.
White Bean Tahini Puree:
Makes 2.5 cups
2 cups white beans
Juice of 1 lemon
5 tbsp of tahini
1 garlic clove, crushed
Kosher salt, to taste
Extra virgin olive oil
Add beans, lemon juice, tahini, garlic and salt in a food processor until creamy.
Season to taste with more salt if necessary.
Spoon into a bowl and drizzle with olive oil prior to serving.
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