Moroccan Lamb Tagine with Apricots and Almonds Delight

Moroccan Lamb Tagine with Apricots and Almonds

Moroccan Cuisine

Serves: 2, Difficulty: Expert

Preparation Time: 30 minutes, Cooking Time: 2 hours

Ingredients

• 300 grams lamb, diced
• 1 large onion, finely chopped
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 6 dried apricots, chopped
• 6 dried prunes, chopped
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon saffron threads, soaked in 30 ml warm water
• 1 preserved lemon, chopped
• 50 grams green olives, pitted
• 1 teaspoon harissa paste
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 10 grams fresh cilantro, chopped
• 50 grams blanched almonds
• 150 grams couscous
• Salt, to taste
• Black pepper, to taste
• 300 ml water

Method

• Heat olive oil in a large tagine or heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic, and sauté until translucent and fragrant, about 5 minutes.
• Add the diced lamb to the pot and brown on all sides, about 10 minutes.
• Stir in the ground cumin, ground turmeric, ground cinnamon, and saffron with soaking water. Mix to coat the lamb and onion mixture with the spices.
• Incorporate the chopped dried apricots, prunes, preserved lemon, and harissa paste. Stir well and season with salt and pepper to taste.
• Pour in 300 ml water, bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover and simmer for about 1.5 to 2 hours, or until the lamb is tender and the flavors have melded.
• In the final 10 minutes, add the green olives and blanched almonds. Stir gently to combine.
• While the tagine is cooking, prepare the couscous according to the package instructions. Fluff with a fork and season with a pinch of salt.
• Once the tagine is ready, sprinkle with fresh cilantro and serve alongside the couscous.

Tips

• If saffron is unavailable, a pinch of turmeric and a dash of warm water can substitute to add a vibrant color and an earthy flavor.
• To enhance the aroma, lightly toast the blanched almonds in a dry pan before adding them to the tagine.
• Adjust the harissa paste to your heat preference for a milder or spicier dish.

Nutritional Information

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