Middle Eastern Lamb And Rice With Apricots Recipes

BASMATI RICE PILAF WITH DRIED FRUITS AND ALMONDS

Steps:

• Place the rice in a medium bowl and add enough water to cover by 2 inches. Using your hands, gently swish the grains to release any excess starch. Carefully pour off the water, leaving the rice in the bowl. Repeat four to five times, until the water runs almost clear. Using a fine mesh strainer, drain the water from rice. Place the strainer over a bowl and set aside.
• Melt the butter in a pot over medium-low heat. Add the onion and cook, stirring regularly, until softened but not browned, about 4 minutes. Add the cumin, turmeric, cinnamon, and garlic and cook, stirring constantly, until fragrant, about 30 seconds longer. Add the rice to the pot, and cook, stirring constantly, for about 3 minutes. Add the water, salt, and pepper and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer until all the liquid is absorbed, 15 to 18 minutes. Off the heat, remove the lid and sprinkle the dried fruit over the rice (do not mix in). Place the lid over the pot and let stand for 10 minutes. Toss in the toasted almonds, fluff the rice with a fork, and serve.

EASY MOROCCAN LAMB STEW RECIPE

Steps:

• In a large Dutch oven (affiliate) or heavy oven-safe pot, heat 2 tbsp olive oil over medium heat until shimmering but not smoking.
• In the heated oil, saute the onions, carrots, and potatoes for 4 minutes or so. Add the garlic and season with salt and pepper. Remove from the pot and set aside briefly.
• In the same pot, add more oil if needed, and deeply brown the lamb on all sides. Season with salt and pepper.
• Turn heat to medium-high and return the sauteed vegetables to the pot. Add the dried apricots, cinnamon stick, bay leaf and spices and stir to coat.
• Add the plum tomatoes and broth and bring everything to a boil for 5 minutes or so.
• Cover the pot and place in the 350 degrees F heated-oven for 1 ½ hours (check partway through to add water or broth if needed). Now stir in the chickpeas, cover and return to the oven for another 30 minutes.
• Remove from the oven and serve hot with your choice of Lebanese rice, couscous, pita bread or your favorite rustic bread.
• A simple Mediterranean salad like Fattoush makes a great starter for this hearty meal. Enjoy!

LAMB & APRICOT STEW

Steps:

• In a medium-sized pan, heat 1 tbsp of the oil. Season the meat and fry briefly until browned. Remove from the pan and add the remaining oil. Add the onion, garlic and ginger, and fry with a little seasoning. Cook for 5 mins until soft, then add the spice mix, tomato purée, apricots and stock, and return the lamb to the pan. Simmer gently for 25 mins. Serve with warm couscous, mint or coriander leaves, and lemon wedges.

INSTANT POT MIDDLE EASTERN LAMB STEW

Steps:

• Turn the Instant Pot on and set it to the Sauté function. Heat the butter or oil and saute the onions for 3-4 minutes until fragrant. Add the lamb, garlic, salt and all the spices and saute for 5 more minutes until fragrant. Add the vinegar, tomato paste, honey, stock, chickpeas and raisins and stir until combined.
• Cover and set the Instant Pot (or pressure cooker) to pressure cook setting for 50 minutes on normal/high. Naturally release.
• Let the pressure release and give a stir. The lamb will be tender and break apart easily. If you prefer it less juicy, return to saute function and cook off some of the liquid. ( Note that it will thicken a bit as it sits)
• Serve over quinoa, rice or cous cous with some fresh cilantro or parsley.
• The leftovers taste even better the next day as the flavors have more time to meld.

MIDDLE EASTERN LAMB AND RICE WITH APRICOTS

Steps:

• Melt 2 Tablespoons butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat.
• Stir in the rice and cook for 2 minutes.
• Add the water and the teaspoon of salt.
• Bring to a boil, lower the heat, stir with a fork, cover and simmer for 15 minutes or until the rice is tender, but still somewhat al dente and most of the liquid has been absorbed.
• In a large frying pan, over medium heat, melt the remaining butter and brown the lamb evenly. Add more butter if needed.
• Add the garlic and season with salt, pepper, nutmeg, and cumin; cook for 5 minutes.
• Barely cover with water and simmer, covered for 20 minutes.
• Add the apricots and currants and cook, covered for 20 minutes, or until lamb is just tender.
• Taste for seasoning, adding salt and pepper, if needed.
• Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 350°F.
• In a casserole, arrange alternating layers of rice, with any of the liquid it was cooked in, with layers of the lamb and the liquid it was cooked in, ending with a layer of rice.
• Cover and bake for 15 minutes.
• Serve from the casserole.