Lamb Tagine
Posted On January 9, 2020
Lamb tagine can be made in a Dutch Oven if you don’t have a tagine. The tagine is great for presentation, but the stew cooks just the same in a Dutch Oven. This is one of Morocco’s famous dishes known throughout the world. It has the delicious aroma of spice and the meat is soft and silky. Make this on a weekend, and your family will think you’re a genius!
Lamb Tagine
Ingredients
- 2 lb 2 lb. boneless lamb shoulder, excess fat trimmed, cut into 2" pieces
- Kosher salt and pepper
- 3 tbsp 3 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 large 1 Large yellow onion, chopped
- 1 1½" Piece fresh ginger, peeled, finely grated
- 4 Garlic cloves, thinly sliced
- 2 bay leaves
- ¼ Golden raisins
- ⅓ cup plus 2 Tbsp Slivered almonds
- 2 tbsp Tomato paste
- 1 tsp Ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp Ground cumin
- ½ tsp Crushed red pepper flakes ½ tsp. ground turmeric ¼ tsp. ground cardamom ½ small red onion, very thinly sliced
- 1 cup Mint leaves, torn if large
- ½ Lemon
- Plain yogurt optional
Instructions
- Pat lamb dry with paper towels, then season on all sides with salt. Let sit at room temperature 1 hour, or chill, uncovered, up to 12 (longer is better; overnight works great).
- Heat oil in a large Dutch oven or tagine over medium-high. Use a heat difuser if you are using a tagine. Working in batches, cook lamb, turning occasionally, until browned on all sides, 12–14 minutes total. Using a slotted spoon, transfer lamb to a plate.
- Turn heat down to medium. Add yellow onion and 2 Tbsp. water to pot and cook, stirring occasionally and scraping browned bits from bottom of pot, until onion is slightly softened, 8–10 minutes. Add ginger, garlic, bay leaves, raisins, and ⅓ cup almonds. Cook, stirring occasionally, until garlic is softened, about 3 minutes.
- Return lamb to pot and add tomato paste, cinnamon, cumin, red pepper flakes, turmeric, and cardamom. Cook, stirring occasionally, until mixture is fragrant and tomato paste has darkened and is beginning to stick to bottom of pot, about 3 minutes. Pour in 6 cups water and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and bring to a bare simmer. Cover partially with Cover partially with lid (you want a little space for steam to escape), not necessary if you are using a tagine, and cook, stirring occasionally, until lamb is tender and liquid has thickened, 60–75 minutes. Add water, if needed to maintain a sauce. Remove from heat; taste and adjust seasoning with salt.
- Meanwhile, toast remaining 2 Tbsp. almonds in a small dry skillet over medium heat, tossing often, until golden brown, 4–6 minutes. Transfer to a cutting board to cool, then coarsely chop.
- Toss red onion and mint in a small bowl. Squeeze lemon over; season with salt and pepper. Toss again to coat.
- Ladle stew into bowls. Top with chopped almonds and onion salad.
- Serve with couscous, rice and/or flat bread. A dollop of yogurt round out the flavors of the spice, if you so desire.