more delicious Mediterranean flavours

I just can't get enough. Of these amazing Mediterranean flavours that is, this time north African. Last night I tried a recipe at home from the most recent issue of Gourmet - Merguez lamb patties with golden raisin couscous. I liked the look of it from the start - lots of spices and seasonings, but low on the added fats.

Cumin, coriander, harissa, cinnamon, garlic and fennel seeds all get mixed into the lamb patties (be careful, it turns your hands red). Once those go in the frying pan, boil some chicken stock and add the couscous, golden sultanas, lemon zest and fresh coriander (cilantro).

While I was putting this together (under 30 minutes from start to finish!), I realised that the dish lacked something refreshing to cleanse the palate, what with all those spicy flavours and the filling couscous. I quickly dropped a courgette into the food processor with some dill to finely chop in. Then I scooped it out into a bowl and added two tablespoons (big 'uns) of fat-free natural yogurt to the bowl (a la my recent mezze night). The mixture was then split evenly on the two plates, alongside the couscous and the lamb patties piled on top. (I only gave myself 1/3 of the couscous mixture - believe me, that was plenty.)

Munching down on my dinner over an episode of House, I realised that actually the lamb mince itself has quite a lot of fat, and I'm not sure that it's also necessary to fry those patties in a tablespoon of oil as well. I think next time I might grill them. I love the harissa (I always do). Surprisingly, I liked the couscous too - I was suspicious of raisins, lemon and coriander, but actually, it worked. And my courgette yogurt was a fantastic addition - very palate cleansing and really healthy. It pleased me other half too. Definitely a keeper, this one.