Spicy Lamb Tagine With Couscous Recipes

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 Steamed Couscous.
• Melt the butter in a large saucepan. Add the onions and cook over medium heat for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until tender but not browned. Add the chicken stock, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper and bring to a full boil. Stir in the couscous, turn off the heat, cover, and allow to steam for 10 minutes. Fluff with a fork and serve hot.

Steps:

• Trim any fat off the lamb and cut it into 1 inch cubes.
• Put the meat, onions, garlic, cayenne pepper, cinnamon, ginger, paprika and saffron if using,into the bottom of a double boiler or a large saucepan, season to taste and add enough water to cover.
• Bring the contents to a boil, then cover the pan, reduce the heat to low, and simmer for 1 hour 30 minutes.
• Add the apricots, carrots,zucchini,tomatoes, coriander and parsley to the pan and cook, covered for a further 15 minutes.
• Meanwhile, following package directions, prepare enough couscous for 6 people.
• Add salt to taste.
• To serve, spoon the couscous onto serving dish, lift the lamb and vegetables from the pan with a slotted spoon and lay them on top of the couscous and sprinkle them with chopped coriander and parsley.
• Pour the broth into a jug or bowl to serve separately and let people help themselves at the table.

Steps:

• Heat grill to medium. Tip the couscous, chickpeas and lemon zest into a large bowl and pour over the hot stock. Cover with cling film and leave to stand for 10 mins, until all the stock has been absorbed.
• Smear 2 tsp harissa paste over the lamb chops, season to taste, then grill for 3-4 mins each side until crisp outside and medium rare in the middle. Cover, then rest for a few mins. Mix the remaining harissa into the yogurt, then season to taste.
• Fold the rocket through the warm couscous, breaking up any clumps with a fork. Serve with the chops and a drizzle of harrissa and yogurt dressing.

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine lamb and 2 teaspoons salt. Let sit at room temperature at least 1 hour or up to 24 hours in the refrigerator.
• In a small pot, bring stock to a boil. Remove from heat, add apricots, and let sit at least 15 minutes.
• Heat oven to 325 degrees. In a tagine, Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot with a tightfitting lid, warm 2 tablespoons oil over medium heat until hot. Working in batches, add lamb to pot, leaving room around each piece (this will help them brown). Cook until well browned on all sides, about 10 minutes. Transfer pieces to a plate as they brown.
• Drain fat, if necessary, leaving just enough to coat the bottom of the pot. Add onions and 1/4 teaspoon salt, and cook until soft, about 8 minutes. Add tomato paste, ginger, 1 cinnamon stick and the spices, and cook until fragrant, about 2 minutes. Add lamb and any juices on the plate, the apricots and stock, and half the cilantro. Cover pot with foil and then its lid, and cook in oven for 2 1/2 to 3 hours, or until lamb is tender, turning it occasionally. (If using a tagine, you don't need to use foil.) Taste and adjust seasonings, if necessary.
• Meanwhile, in a small skillet, heat butter and 1 cinnamon stick over medium heat. Add almonds and 1/4 teaspoon salt, and cook until golden brown, 5 to 7 minutes. Discard cinnamon stick.
• To serve, transfer lamb and juices to a serving platter. Top with toasted almonds and any butter left in the small skillet, scallions, parsley and remaining cilantro. Sprinkle with fresh lemon juice to taste. Serve with flatbread or couscous, if desired.