Spicy Lamb Tagine with Couscous Recipe
🕒 Prep Time: 15 minutes
🕒 Cook Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
🕒 Total Time: 2 hours
🍽️ Servings: 6
Description:
Indulge in the exquisite flavors of Morocco with this Spicy Lamb Tagine served over fluffy couscous. This tantalizing dish, inspired by Moroccan cuisine, is a perfect choice for a cozy dinner, offering a wonderful blend of spices and tender lamb that will surely delight your taste buds.
Ingredients:
- 1 3/4 pounds lean lamb leg steak, trimmed of fat and cubed
- 1 1/2 onions, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- A pinch of saffron strands (optional)
- 1/2 teaspoon turmeric
- 2 carrots, sliced
- 1 zucchini, sliced
- 2 tomatoes, chopped
- 1 bunch fresh coriander, chopped
- 1 bunch fresh parsley, chopped
- 10-12 dried apricots
- Salt, to taste
- 4 1/2 cups couscous
- Chopped fresh coriander and parsley, for garnish
Instructions:
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Prep the Lamb: Start by trimming any excess fat from the lamb leg steak and cutting it into 1-inch cubes.
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Prepare the Base: In a double boiler or large saucepan, combine the cubed lamb, chopped onions, minced garlic, cayenne pepper, cinnamon sticks, ground ginger, paprika, and saffron (if using). Season with salt to taste and add enough water to cover the ingredients.
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Simmer the Lamb: Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat. Once boiling, cover the pan, reduce the heat to low, and let it simmer gently for approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes, or until the lamb is tender and flavorful.
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Add Vegetables: After the initial cooking time, add the sliced carrots, zucchini, chopped tomatoes, dried apricots, fresh coriander, and parsley to the pan. Cover and continue to cook for an additional 15 minutes, allowing the vegetables to soften and the flavors to meld together.
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Prepare the Couscous: While the lamb and vegetables are cooking, prepare the couscous according to the package instructions. Typically, this involves boiling water and then adding it to the couscous, letting it sit covered for a few minutes until fluffy. Don’t forget to season the couscous with salt to enhance its flavor.
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Serve: To serve, spoon the cooked couscous onto a large serving dish. Using a slotted spoon, carefully transfer the tender lamb and vegetables from the pan onto the couscous bed. Sprinkle the dish with freshly chopped coriander and parsley for a burst of freshness and color.
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Serve with Broth: Pour the flavorful broth from the pan into a jug or bowl and serve it alongside the lamb tagine and couscous. This allows guests to drizzle extra broth over their portions according to their preference, adding moisture and depth to the dish.
Nutritional Information (per serving):
- Calories: 263.9
- Fat: 0.8g
- Saturated Fat: 0.1g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
- Sodium: 32.4mg
- Carbohydrates: 57.7g
- Fiber: 6.1g
- Sugar: 15.6g
- Protein: 8g
Tips:
- For an extra kick of flavor, consider adding a dash of ground cumin or coriander to the lamb mixture.
- If you prefer a thicker consistency for the broth, you can stir in a tablespoon of flour or cornstarch mixed with water during the last few minutes of cooking.
- Feel free to customize the vegetable selection based on your preferences or what’s in season. Eggplant, bell peppers, or chickpeas would also make delicious additions to this tagine.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Simply reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave before serving.
Indulge in the exotic flavors of Morocco with this Spicy Lamb Tagine with Couscous recipe. Perfect for a cozy dinner or a special occasion, this dish is sure to impress with its rich blend of spices and tender lamb. Enjoy the warm, comforting flavors of North Africa right in your own home!
