lamb apricot tagines to try

moroccan food. these are all from arabic food.

 

lamb apricot tagine

1/4 cup plain flour
8 (180g each) lamb forequarter chops, trimmed
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 brown onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, crushed
2 teaspoons ground coriander
2 teaspoons ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1 long red chilli, thinly sliced
400g can crushed tomatoes
3/4 cup dried apricots, chopped
2 tablespoons honey
2 small zucchini, thickly sliced
1/2 cup chopped fresh coriander leaves
steamed couscous and yoghurt, to serve

Method

1.  Preheat oven to 160°C/140°C fan-forced. Place flour and lamb in a large snap-lock bag. Seal. Shake to coat. Heat half the oil in a large, heavy-based flameproof casserole dish over high heat. Cook lamb, in batches, for 2 to 3 minutes each side or until browned. Transfer to a plate.

2. Reduce heat to medium. Heat remaining oil. Add onion, garlic, coriander, cumin, ginger and chilli. Cook for 2 minutes or until softened. Return lamb and juices to pan with tomato, apricot, honey and 2 cups cold water. Cover. Bring to the boil.

3. Transfer to oven. Bake for 1 hour 15 minutes. Remove from oven. Skim fat from surface. Add zucchini. Bake, uncovered, for 30 minutes or until lamb is tender. Stir in coriander. Serve with couscous and yoghurt.

 

lamb tagine with honey and apricots

2 pounds boneless lamb shoulder, trimmed of fat (about 1 1/2 pounds)
1 teaspoon ground turmeric
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1 1/4 teaspoons salt
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 1/2 cups diced onions
3 large garlic cloves, minced
1 cup chicken broth
8 threads Spanish saffron, crushed
16 fresh cilantro sprigs, tied together with a cotton string
1 cup dried, pitted apricots
1/2 cup golden raisins
1 onion, halved and thinly sliced
2 tablespoons honey
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
Cilantro

Directions

Cut lamb into 1 1/2-inch cubes and place in a medium-sized bowl. Season the lamb with turmeric, ginger and 1/2 teaspoon salt.

Heat a tagine or Dutch oven over high heat. Add 1 tablespoon of the vegetable oil and half of the seasoned lamb. Cook the lamb until browned on all sides, 2 to 3 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, remove the lamb from the pan and set aside. Repeat with remaining oil and lamb.

Return the seared lamb to the pan and add the diced onions. Cook, stirring to get the browned bits off the bottom of the pan, for 3 to 4 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute. Add the chicken broth, saffron, and cilantro bundle and bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium-low and cook, covered, for 1 1/2 hours, or until the meat is tender.

Pour 1 cup of boiling water over the apricots and raisins and let sit for 20 minutes. Strain and set the fruit aside.

Using a slotted spoon, remove the meat, place it on a clean plate, and keep warm. Bring the remaining liquid in the pan to a simmer. Add the sliced onions, apricots, raisins, honey, cinnamon, ground pepper, and 3/4 teaspoon salt. Return the liquid to a simmer and cook for 6 to 8 minutes, or until mixture is slightly thickened. Add the cooked lamb back into the sauce and cook to heat through, about 2 minutes. Garnish with fresh cilantro sprigs. Serve with Moroccan Vegetable Couscous and Moroccan Yogurt with Preserved Lemon Dip.

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