Mititei (Romanian minced meat rolls)

Ingredients

250g/9oz minced pork
250g/9oz minced beef
1 onion, finely chopped
3 garlic cloves, crushed
¾ tsp harissa paste
1 tsp sweet paprika
½ tsp smoked paprika
½ tsp cayenne pepper
1 tsp fresh thyme leaves
½ tsp baking powder
1 tsp soaked and ground caraway seeds
1 tsp marjoram
salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
½ tsp allspice (optional)
meat, chicken or vegetable stock, for basting (optional)
1 tbsp olive oil, for frying

Method

1. Combine all the ingredients, apart from the olive oil and stock, together in a large mixing bowl.
2. Knead together for about five minutes - the ingredients need to be very well combined.
3. Divide the mixture into small handfuls and roll into small sausage shapes.
4. Heat the oil in a large heavy-bottomed frying pan or griddle. Cook the sausages over a medium heat for 20-30 minutes, or until cooked through. Turn them several times during cooking and baste with a little stock to keep them moist, if you like.
5. Serve with mustard.