Moroccan Lamb Tagine With Figs Recipes

MOROCCAN LAMB TAGINE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F. Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a very large (12-to-13-inch) pot or Dutch oven, such as Le Creuset. Pat the lamb shanks dry with paper towels. In batches, add the lamb shanks to the pot and cook over medium heat for 3 minutes on each side, until they are nicely browned. Transfer to a plate and brown the remaining shanks, adding a little more oil, if necessary. Transfer all the shanks to the plate and set aside.
• Add the onions and cook over medium-low heat for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, adding more oil, if necessary. Add the garlic and ginger and cook for just 30 seconds. Add the chili powder, turmeric, cumin, cardamom and cinnamon and cook for one minute. Stir in the tomatoes and their liquid, the chicken stock, brown sugar, lime, 1 tablespoon salt and 1 teaspoon pepper. Add the potatoes, butternut squash and sweet potatoes and bring to a boil. Place the lamb shanks in the pot, spooning some of the sauce and vegetables over the shanks. (They will not be completely submerged.) Cover the pot and bake for 3 hours, until the lamb shanks are very tender. Serve hot with couscous.

MOROCCAN LAMB TAGINE WITH FIGS

Steps:

• In a Dutch oven, heat 1 tablespoon of the oil over moderately high heat. Add half the lamb and cook, stirring once or twice, until well-browned, about 5 minutes. Remove the lamb from the pan. Repeat with the remaining oil and lamb. Reduce heat to medium low and add the onions and ¼ teaspoon salt to the pan. Cook, stirring frequently, until the onions are tender and beginning to brown. Be careful not to burn the browned bits in the bottom of the pan. Add the tomato paste and cook, stirring constantly, for 1 minute. Return the lamb to the pan along with the ginger, saffron, cinnamon and 1 teaspoon salt; stir to combine. Add the chicken broth and water and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low and simmer, partially covered, until the meat is tender, about 1 hour and 15 minutes. Remove the cinnamon stick. Tilt the pan to the side and remove any fat floating on the top of the sauce with a spoon. Add the figs, honey, black pepper and the remaining ¼ teaspoon salt and bring to a simmer. Simmer, partially covered, until the sauce thickens slightly, about 10 minutes. Taste and adjust seasoning. Serve the tagine with the sesame seeds and cilantro (if using) sprinkled over the top. Note: To toast seeds, spread on baking sheet and bake in a 350-degree oven for 3 to 5 minutes or until brown.

LAMB TAGINE WITH DRIED FIGS AND ALMONDS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Put the sesame seeds on a small sheet pan or pie plate and toast in the oven 6 minutes, remove and place in small dish. Add the almonds to the pan until golden brown. Set aside. Put the olive oil in a large, heavy-bottomed Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Season the lamb with salt and pepper. Brown on all sides in 2 batches, about 10 to 12 minutes total. Add the garlic, onions, cumin, cardamom, turmeric, and ground chilies to the lamb. Stir well and reduce the heat to medium-low. Cook for 5 minutes. Add 2 1/2 cups water and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat, cover, and simmer for 1 1/2 hours, or until the meat is tender. It should be slightly springy, but easy to pull apart with your fingers. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Strain the liquid from the stew into a small saucepan or bowl and skim the fat. Check for salt and pepper and keep warm. Mix the meat and figs and spread in a single layer in an ovenproof serving dish. Pour the sauce over the meat and figs and sprinkle with almonds. Bake for 12 minutes, or until crisp and golden. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and chopped cilantro and garnish wiht cilantro springs. Serve from the hot dish.

LAMB TAGINE

Steps:

• Place diced lamb in a bowl, toss with 2 tablespoons of the olive oil, and set aside. In a large resealable bag, toss together the paprika, turmeric, cumin, cayenne, cinnamon, cloves, cardamom, salt, ginger, saffron, garlic powder, and coriander; mix well. Add the lamb to the bag, and toss around to coat well. Refrigerate at least 8 hours, preferably overnight.
• Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large, heavy bottomed pot over medium-high heat. Add 1/3 of the lamb, and brown well. Remove to a plate, and repeat with remaining lamb. Add onions and carrots to the pot and cook for 5 minutes. Stir in the fresh garlic and ginger; continue cooking for an additional 5 minutes. Return the lamb to the pot and stir in the lemon zest, chicken broth, tomato paste, and honey. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 1 1/2 to 2 hours, stirring occasionally, until the meat is tender.
• If the consistency of the tagine is too thin, you may thicken it with a mixture of cornstarch and water during the last 5 minutes.

MOROCCAN LAMB TAGINE

Steps:

• preheat oven to 300 degrees.
• Place the cayenne, pepper, paprika, ginger, turmeric and cinnamon in a small bowl and mix.
• Place the lamb in a large bowl and toss with 1/2 the spice mixture.
• Cover and leave overnight.
• Heat 1 tbsp olive oil and 1 tbsp of argan oil in a large casserole dish.
• Add the grated onion and the remaining spice mix and cook over a gentle heat for 10 minutes. Add the crushed garlic in the final 3 minutes.
• In a separate pan, heat the oil and brown the lamb on all sides.
• Add to the casserole dish.
• Deglaze the pan with 1/4 pint of the tomato juice and add that to the casserole dish as well.
• Add the remaining tomato juice, chopped tomatoes, apricots, dates, raisins, saffron, lamb stock and honey to the casserole dish.
• Bring to a boil, cover and place in oven or slow cooker 2 1/2 - 3 hours until meat is very tender.
• Serve with couscous or rice and top with herbs.