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Kefta Mkaouara (Mkawra) is a Moroccan dish traditionally made in a tagine. Small beef or lamb meatballs are simmered in a spiced tomato sauce, then eggs are added in the last few minutes of cooking. It is served from the same dish it is cooked in with crusty Moroccan bread. 

Ingredients

1 pound ground beef or lamb (or combination)

1/2 onion, grated

2 garlic cloves, grated

2 teaspoons paprika

1 teaspoon cumin

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon hot paprika

1/4 cup parsley, finely minced

1/4 cup cilantro, finely minced

salt and pepper to taste

Olive oil or ghee for pan

1 onion, thinly sliced or chopped

2 (14.5 ounce) cans diced tomatoes

3 cloves garlic, minced

2 teaspoons cumin

1 1/2 teaspoons paprika

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon hot paprika

3 tablespoons chopped parsley

3 tablespoons chopped cilantro

4 eggs

In a medium bowl, combine ground meat, grated onion, garlic, paprika, cumin, cinnamon, hot paprika, salt, pepper, parsley, and cilantro. Use your hands to roll the mixture into 3/4 inch round meatballs.

Drizzle olive oil or ghee over bottom of tagine or deep skillet with tight fitting lid over medium heat. A diffuser is needed for clay tagines. Add the sliced onion and cook until soft. Sprinkle with minced garlic and place meatballs in a mostly single layer over onions. Cook, gently stirring occasionally, until brown on sides.

Pour in enough tomatoes to mostly cover the meatballs. Add the cumin, paprika, cinnamon, hot paprika, and gently stir to combine. Cover, reduce heat to low, and let simmer for 30 minutes.

Remove cover, crack eggs into separate areas among the meatballs, and sprinkle with parsley, cilantro, salt, and pepper. Cover again and cook until eggs are barely set, 7-10 minutes.

Serve immediately from tagine with crusty bread.