Moroccan Lamb Tagine With Figs Food

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 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.

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.