Stuffed banana shallots
These shallots are packed with a spicy lamb filling and make a great starter or snack.
Ingredients
- 6 large banana shallots, peeled and skin removed
- 50g/1戮oz saganaki cheese, grated
- 1 tbsp fresh mint leaves, to garnish
- 1 tbsp fresh coriander leaves, to garnish
For the filling
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 250g/9oz lamb mince
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp ground coriander
- pinch cayenne pepper
- 1 tbsp chopped fresh coriander
- 1 tbsp chopped fresh mint
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tbsp tomato pur茅e
- 2 tbsp cooked orzo, cooled
- 2 tsp currants, soaked in water and drained
- 2 tsp caster sugar
- 2 tsp red wine vinegar
Method
Cut a slit in the middle of each shallot, top to bottom, and slightly open out the shallot. Place in a saucepan of boiling water for 10 minutes. Drain and leave to cool.
Meanwhile, for the filling, heat the oil in a large frying pan. Saut茅 the lamb for 5 minutes, or until browned. Stir in the spices, herbs, tomato pur茅e, orzo and currants and cook for a few more minutes.
Fill each shallot with a teaspoon of the filling, or more if possible. Place the stuffed shallots in a hot, dry pan, cut-side down. Cook and turn until they are gently browned all over. Towards the end of the cooking, add the sugar and vinegar and turn the shallots in the mixture to glaze.
Place the shallots and any remaining filling mixture in a serving dish, sprinkle over the cheese and garnish with the mint and coriander leaves.
