Lamb Merguez - (North African Red Sausage) - cooking recipe

Ingredients

Spice Mixture
1 tablespoon coriander seed, dry toasted
1 tablespoon cumin seed, dry toasted
1 tablespoon anise seed, dry toasted (or fennel seed, in a pinch)
1 tablespoon cinnamon, preferably Ceylon
1/2 - 1 teaspoon cayenne, depending on the heat level of the harissa used in the sausage
2 teaspoons turmeric
Sausage
1 lb fresh ground lamb shoulder
2 garlic cloves, minced fine
1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
1 tablespoon mixed spice
2 tablespoons harissa
1 tablespoon tomato paste
1/2 teaspoon salt, to taste
ice water, as needed

Preparation

Combine the spice mix ingredients and grind fine using a spice grinder or a mortar and pestle. The extra can be stored in a glass jar.
Using a mixer, combine all the sausage ingredients. Add the ice water, a tablespoon at a time until the mixture is well combined. Form a little patty and cook it off, taste and adjust the seasoning as you see fit. Cover and chill overnight (for best flavor), or at least an hour.
If making patties, dip your hands in ice water as you form them. This mixture will also make one large stuffed casing coil. Chill the patties or coil again if you are not going to cook right away.
Grill for 10-12 minutes, total, turning once.