Moroccan-inspired spices of cinnamon, ginger, cumin, and fresh mint complete the flavor profile in this decadent, slow-cooked lamb stew. This dish is a perfect blend of tender lamb, sweet fruits, and aromatic spices, making it an ideal choice for a comforting and exotic meal. Here's how you can make it at home.
Traveling in Morocco some years ago, I ate tagines - stews distinguished by being cooked in the pot of the same name. Traditionally, this lamb stew might be served in a tagine, but a dutch oven is a beautiful replacement; the live fire preparation infuses one more important note in the flavors: that of grilled smoke.
Best Lamb Tagine you can eat outside of Morocco | Lamb Shank Tagine | Essence Cuisine
Ingredients and Preparation
Here’s a guide to help you prepare this delicious Moroccan lamb stew:
Ingredients:
- 2 pounds lamb shoulder, trimmed and cut into 1-inch cubes
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (or olive oil for a substitute)
- 1 small onion, grated (about ⅓ cup)
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- ¼ cup apricot preserves (or diced dried apricots)
- ⅓ cup red wine vinegar
- 1 20-ounce can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- 2 cups chicken stock (plus extra as needed)
- ¼ cup raisins
- ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- Cooked couscous, for serving
Instructions:
- Trim excess fat from the lamb and cut into 1-inch cubes.
- In a Dutch oven or other large, heavy-bottomed pot, melt the butter over medium-low heat.
- Add the lamb, onion, garlic, pepper, salt, cinnamon, coriander, cumin, red pepper flakes, apricot preserves, and vinegar. Cook, stirring frequently, until the aroma of the spices is strong, about 5 to 7 minutes (do not allow the meat to brown).
- Add chickpeas and stock, bring just to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer gently until the lamb is very tender, about 1 hour 15 minutes.
- Add the raisins and continue to cook, uncovered, until they are nicely plumped, about 10 minutes more.
- Remove from heat, stir in the parsley and lemon juice, and serve with couscous.
Tips and Variations
Here are some tips and variations to enhance your Moroccan lamb stew:
- Meat Substitutions: If lamb is not your favorite meat, try beef stew meat or chicken thighs.
- Vegetarian Option: For a vegetarian replacement, use a dense squash, similar to Kobacha or Butternut.
- Spice Quality: Try to find the best spices to fully engage your senses!
- Serving Suggestions: Another way to serve this delicious lamb stew is over rice served the Lebanese way: break up a bit of angel hair pasta into little pieces and saute in butter until they turn brown, add rice and saute a bit and then add water and proceed cooking.
- Tomato Paste: Add 1 tablespoon of tomato paste for a slightly Greek vibe.
The "Cold Start" Approach
This method involves heating the lamb gently along with spices and other aromatics, allowing the flavors to fully penetrate the meat. At that point, it is covered and cooked until tender.
Read also: Comfort Food: Lamb Stew
When I tried the “cold start” approach, substituting a low heating of the lamb with aromatics and a little butter for the usual hard sear in olive oil, it worked like magic. The overall flavor of the dish was less robust than one that began with browning, but it was equally flavorful, in a gentler way.
Nutritional Information
Here is an estimate of the nutritional content per serving:
Note: The information shown is an estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
| Nutrient | Amount per Serving (8 servings) |
|---|---|
| Calories | 531 |
| Fat | 30 grams |
| Saturated Fat | 13 grams |
| Trans Fat | 0 grams |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 12 grams |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 3 grams |
| Carbohydrates | 38 grams |
| Dietary Fiber | 6 grams |
| Sugars | 11 grams |
| Protein | 27 grams |
| Sodium | 631 milligrams |
Enjoy your delicious and flavorful Moroccan lamb stew!
Read also: Easy Moroccan Lamb Stew
Read also: Moroccan Sausage Recipe
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tags: #Moroccan
