Lamb Cranberry Tagine Food

LAMB & CRANBERRY TAGINE

Steps:

• At least 3 hrs before (or preferably a day), toss the lamb with half the cumin, coriander, sweet and hot paprika in a large bowl. Cover and leave in the fridge to infuse.
• Heat oven to 160C/140C fan/gas 3. Heat 1 tbsp of the oil in a large flameproof casserole dish over a high heat and season the spiced lamb well. Working in batches, fry until completely brown, then set aside. Add more of the oil as you need it and get some deep colour on the meat - this will add to the flavour of the tagine.
• Once the lamb is browned, pour any remaining oil into the dish,reduce the heat to medium and add the onions, garlic and remaining ground spices. Cook for 5 mins until softened, then stir in the cinnamon sticks and cardamom pods. Return the lamb to the dish along with the tomatoes, plus 1 /2 a can of water and the honey. Bring to the boil, season, cover with a lid and put in the oven for 2 hrs 15 mins.
• Bring the tagine out of the oven, give it a good stir and tip in the cranberries. Return to the oven, with the lid off, for a further 15 mins until the lamb is completely tender.
• Taste the tagine for seasoning and remove the cinnamon sticks and cardamom pods. Scatter over the pistachios, yogurt and mint leaves, then serve out of the dish at the table with couscous.

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.

LAMB TAGINE WITH BUTTERNUT SQUASH, DRIED APRICOTS, AND ALMONDS

Steps:

• Place a large soup pot over medium-high heat; add 2 tablespoons vegetable oil.
• When oil begins to smoke, add half the lamb; lightly brown on all sides, regulating the heat if the meat threatens to burn.
• Set meat aside in a bowl; repeat with remaining lamb.
• Take the pot from the heat and let it cool slightly.
• Return it to med-low heat; add in 4 tablespoons butter; let it melt.
• Add in the saffron, cinnamon, black pepper, turmeric, cayenne, ginger, and minced yellow onion, scraping the bottom of the pot to loosen any browned bits.
• Let the mixture cook gently for 4 minutes.
• Add in the cooked lamb and any accumulated juices, with 1 1/2 teaspoon salt; stirring to coat the lamb with the spice mixture.
• Stir in the water; increase heat to high and bring just to a simmer.
• With kitchen string, tie together 5 coriander springs and add to the pot.
• Let mixture cook, uncovered, at a bare simmer( the bubbles should be lazy) for 1 hour 45 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Add in the sliced sweet onion and the almonds; simmer for 30 minutes.
• Taste the tagine; add salt if needed.
• Remove the coriander bundle and discard.
• Turn off the heat and allow the tagine to rest at least 30 minutes and up to 2 hours at room temperature.
• While tagine is resting: Prepare the squash--you only need the seedless neck from the squash; peel and halve the neck lengthwise; then cut it into 3/8-inch thick half moons.
• Heat a large skillet over med-high heat and add in the remaining vegetable oil.
• When the oil slides easily in the skillet, sauté the squash pieces on both sides, lightly salting each side as you go for about 5 minutes per side or until just tender and golden brown at the edges.
• Regulate the heat if the squash threatens to burn.
• Near the end of cooking, and while the squash pieces are still a bit firm, add the remaining butter and drizzle the honey over the squash.
• Swirl the pan to blend the ingredients, and gently toss the squash to coat.
• Turn off the heat and reserve in the skillet.
• When ready to serve, gently reheat the lamb, and stir in about 2/3s of the squash pieces.
• Combine the apricots with the remaining squash in the skillet, cover and reheat gently, swirling to coat the pieces.
• Divide the lamb mixture into 4 wide, shallow bowls.
• Drizzle with some of the juices.
• Distribute the apricots and remaining squash over the lamb.
• Drizzle any liquid remaining in the skillet over each serving.
• Garnish with fresh coriander leaves.

LAMB TAGINE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 180°C.
• Place all the spices, lemon juice and oil in a small bowl and mix to form a paste.
• Coat the lamb with the paste, cover and refrigerate overnight (or minimum 4 hours).
• Heat a large pan on high, add lamb in batches and cook for 3-5 minutes or until well browned. Place browned lamb in a large casserole dish.
• Pour the stock over lamb. Bake, covered for 1 hour, stirring occasionally.
• Mix in the prunes and almonds and bake uncovered for another hour, or until lamb is tender.
• Serve with couscous.

LAMB TAGINE WITH CHICKPEAS AND APRICOTS

Steps:

• Place chickpeas in a medium saucepan. Add water to cover by 2". Let soak overnight.
• Drain chickpeas; return to same saucepan. Add 2 whole garlic cloves and cinnamon stick. Add water to cover by 2". Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium and simmer until chickpeas are tender, about 45 minutes. Drain; set aside.
• Meanwhile, heat oil in a large heavy pot over medium-high heat. Season lamb with salt and pepper. Working in batches, brown lamb on all sides, about 4 minutes per batch. Transfer lamb to a medium bowl. Add onion to pot; reduce heat to medium, season with salt and pepper, and sauté until soft and beginning to turn golden, about 5 minutes. Add chopped garlic, Ras-el-Hanout, and ginger. Stir for 1 minute. Add tomatoes and lamb with any accumulated juices. Bring to a boil. Add 2 1/2 cups stock. Return to a boil, reduce heat to low, partially cover, and simmer, stirring occasionally, until lamb is tender, about 1 hour 30 minutes.
• Stir in chickpeas; simmer until heated through, about 10 minutes. Stir in apricots; simmer until heated through, about 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
• Spoon couscous onto a large, shallow platter, forming a large well in center. Spoon tagine into center. Sprinkle cilantro over.

LAMB SHANKS IN CRANBERRY SAUCE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 160oC. Heat oil in a heavy based ovenproof dish over high heat. Cook shanks in batches for 4 to 5 minutes on each side until brown on all sides. Remove to a plate.
• Melt butter in pan until sizzling, add flour and cook for 1 minute. Remove from heat and slowly add stock, wine and cranberry sauce. Season with salt and pepper and return to heat and bring to the boil. Add lamb, garlic and rosemary.
• Cover dish, transfer to oven and bake for 2 1/2 to 3 hours. Remove lid and bake for a further 20-30 minutes or until shanks are tender.
• Serve with mashed potatoes and green beans.

LAMB TAGINE

Steps:

• Place the lamb in a large nonreactive bowl and add the orange juice, vinegar and garlic. Toss to combine. Let the lamb marinate, covered, in the refrigerator for 2 hours, turning the pieces once or twice. Drain the lamb, reserving the marinade.
• Heat 2 T olive oil in a flameproof casserole over medium high heat. Add the lamb, in batches, and cook until browned, about 10 minutes per batch, adding more oil as needed.
• As the lamb is browned, remove the pieces to another bowl. Set the lamb aside. Reduce the heat to medium low and add the onion and carrots to the casserole. Adding more oil if necessary, cook the vegetables until softened, about 8 minutes. Then stir in the saffron, cumin, thyme, and coriander and cook over lowheat for 5 minutes to blend the flavors.
• Sprinkle the flour over the vegetables and cook, stirring, for 1 minutes. Add the chickpeas, prunes, wine and reserved marinade. Season with salt and pepper.
• Return the lamb to the casserole and add the tomatoes and olives. Simmer, covered over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, for 1 1/4 hours. Stir int he lemon juice (this brightens the flavors.).
• Serve over couscous, garnished with fresh mint.