Embark on a culinary journey to Morocco with this tantalizing Lamb Shank Tagine with Apricot Couscous, a delightful dish that captures the essence of Moroccan cuisine. This traditional tagine features succulent lamb shanks braised in a flavorful broth infused with aromatic spices, creating a tender and fall-off-the-bone experience. Apricot Couscous adds a vibrant touch, combining the sweetness of dried apricots with the fluffy texture of steamed couscous. Discover how to prepare this delectable dish with step-by-step instructions, including variations for vegetarians and those seeking a gluten-free option.
In this comprehensive guide, you'll find everything you need to create an authentic Lamb Shank Tagine with Apricot Couscous. Learn how to select the best lamb shanks, prepare the aromatic spice blend, and simmer the tagine to perfection. The recipe also includes tips for achieving fall-off-the-bone tenderness and balancing the flavors.
For those seeking a vegetarian alternative, a detailed recipe for Vegetable Tagine with Apricot Couscous is provided, featuring an array of colorful vegetables braised in a rich broth. And for those with gluten sensitivities, a separate recipe offers a flavorful Apricot Quinoa Pilaf, a fluffy and nutritious side dish that complements the tagine wonderfully.
Get ready to tantalize your taste buds with this authentic Moroccan Lamb Shank Tagine with Apricot Couscous. This guide provides all the necessary information, variations, and tips to create a memorable and delicious meal.
AUTHENTIC MOROCCAN LAMB SHANK TAGINE (TANGIA)
This Moroccan Lamb Shank Tagine originated in my father's hometown of Marrakech and is packed with flavors of garlic, preserved lemon and lamb. You will love the sauce this dish provides served with a fresh baguette or over a bed of couscous.
Provided by Salima Benkhalti
Categories Entree
Time 4h
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Start by preheating your oven to 275 degrees. Arrange the lamb in the base of the tagine.
- In a small bowl combine the minced garlic, lemon, spices, oil, ghee and water. Mix well and pour the mixture over the lamb.
- Cover the tagine and bake in the oven for 2 hours or until the lamb reaches an internal temperature of 145 degrees.
- Enjoy with a baguette (to soak up the sauce) or over freshly cooked couscous with a sprinkle of minced parsley.
MOROCCAN LAMB TAGINE
One of my favorite winter dinners is a warm, satisfying bowl of stew. And I'm not alone; if you think about it, each nationality has its own version of meat and vegetables simmered in one big pot, whether it's classic Irish beef stew or French beef bourguignonne or Texas chili. One night I came across a recipe for Moroccan lamb tagine in, of all places, an Australian cookbook called Bills Sydney Food. I was feeling adventurous and decided to play around with my own version of it using lamb shanks, Yukon Gold potatoes, sweet potatoes, butternut squash and lots of Eastern spices. I can't think of a more delicious, comforting dinner to serve to family or friends on a cold night. And the best part is that you can make the entire pot a day ahead of time, refrigerate it and just reheat it slowly on top of the stove. All you'll need to make that night is some couscous!
Provided by Ina Garten
Time 3h45m
Yield 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 19
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 couscous.
LAMB SHANKS WITH APRICOTS AND CHICKPEAS
This stew, inspired by Moroccan tagines, is meant for lamb shanks, but lamb shoulder, cut in large chunks, would also work. As with most braises, this one improves after a night in the fridge, giving the flavors time to meld and deepen. You could even make it a few days before serving. The subtle commingling of onion, saffron and apricots is enchanting. Take the time to soak and cook dried chickpeas, if you can. Using canned is easier, but freshly cooked chickpeas taste far better (and their drained cooking liquid makes a delicious vegetarian broth).
Provided by David Tanis
Categories meat, tagine, main course
Time 3h30m
Yield 4 to 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- Season lamb shanks generously with salt and pepper. Place in a Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot. Cover with 6 cups water, and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce to a low simmer and cook, covered with lid ajar, for 1 hour. Remove shanks and reserve cooking liquid. Wipe out the pan. (You may cook the lamb shanks in advance, even a day ahead.)
- Set Dutch oven over medium-high heat and add 2 tablespoons olive oil. Add onions and cook, stirring, until softened, about 5 minutes. Add 1 teaspoon garlic, bay leaf, saffron, tomato paste and paprika. Stir together and let sizzle for 1 minute, then add reserved lamb broth and bring to a boil. Add lamb shanks and apricots, cover with lid ajar and simmer for 1 1/2 hours, until meat is very tender, nearly falling off the bone.
- Remove shanks and place on a cutting board to cool. Add parsnips to simmering broth, and cook until tender, about 15 minutes. Taste broth and adjust seasoning. If necessary, reduce over medium-high heat to concentrate cooking juices.
- When shanks are cool enough to handle, remove the bones (use your hands). Cut the meat into large chunks and return to the pot to warm through. Transfer meat and sauce to a serving platter.
- To finish, warm remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Add remaining 1/2 teaspoon garlic and let sizzle without browning, about 30 seconds. Add chickpeas and warm them through, about 5 minutes. Season lightly with salt, and toss with the chopped cilantro. Spoon chickpeas over lamb and sauce.
MOROCCAN LAMB SHANK WITH COUSCOUS
This lamb shank dish is a winter staple in my family, and is very easy to make as long as you have all the spices in the cupboard. A great sunday dinner in a wintery night.
Provided by NoOnionNoGarlic
Categories Lamb/Sheep
Time 3h10m
Yield 2 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 19
Steps:
- Mix ground cumin, coriander, paprika and fennel seeds in a bowl. Put the olive oil in a big sauce pan with lid or a casserole in medium heat. When the oil is hot, put in the mixed spices. Fry them for 1-2 minutes until you can smell the lovely fragrance of the spices. Add ginger and chili, fry for a further 1 minute.
- Add lamb shanks in the pan, make sure the shanks are coated with the spices while browning the meat. After the lamb shanks are nice and brown, add the chopped tomatoes, and cook for 2-3 minutes.
- Add chicken stock into the pan, make sure the lamb shanks are largely covered, and bring it to boil. Add cinnamon stick, salt and honey to the pot, cover the pan with the lid and reduce the heat to let it simmer for 30 minutes.
- After 30 minutes, adjust the seasoning to your preference. Let the lamb continue to cook for another 2 hours, and turn the lamb shanks over every 30 minutes, and add additional water if the stocks becomes a bit dry.
- After 2 hours and 30 minutes, add the chopped apricots, figs and almond flakes to the lamb, and continue to cook for another 30 minutes. The meat should be almost falling off the bones by now.
- Meanwhile, put couscous in a large bowl, and cover with the sauce from the lamb. The liquid should be enough to cover the couscous with a finger width of extra water on the top. Cover the bowl with the lid from the pot for about 5 minutes. This would allow the couscous to soak up all the flavours. Uncover the bowl, and fluff the couscous up with a fork. Sprinkle some of the chopped coriander and mix.
- Divide the couscous up into 2 bowls, and dish out the lam shank on top of the couscous. Don't forget to put some of that lovely sauce on top of the dish. And finally, sprinkle some of the chopped coriander on top.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 1381.8, Fat 47.9, SaturatedFat 15.9, Cholesterol 249.7, Sodium 568.3, Carbohydrate 142.5, Fiber 13.2, Sugar 48.8, Protein 95.2
LAMB, SQUASH & APRICOT TAGINE
A Moroccan mainstay, this slow-cooked casserole is flavoured with coriander and ras-el-hanout spices
Provided by Good Food team
Categories Dinner, Main course
Time 1h50m
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Heat the oil in a flameproof casserole dish, add the onion and cook for 5 mins until softened. Add the garlic and spices and cook for a couple mins more, stirring to prevent them catching and burning.
- Add the lamb, squash and apricots to the casserole, pour over the tomatoes and stock, season well and bring to the boil. Put the lid on and transfer to the oven. After 1 hr, stir the tagine and return to the oven, uncovered, for a further 30 mins.
- Check the seasoning. Sprinkle over the zest and coriander, and serve in warm bowls with couscous and yogurt.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 451 calories, Fat 18 grams fat, SaturatedFat 6 grams saturated fat, Carbohydrate 29 grams carbohydrates, Sugar 26 grams sugar, Fiber 7 grams fiber, Protein 43 grams protein, Sodium 0.3 milligram of sodium
LAMB SHANK TAGINE WITH DATES
For the best stews, use lamb shanks simmered slowly on the bone. Here, Moroccan seasonings mingle for a bright balance of flavors: sweetness comes from dates and onions, and heat and spice from ginger and cumin. This tagine is traditionally accompanied only by warm whole wheat pita or Arab flatbread. But, if you wish, serve with buttered couscous or even mashed potatoes. Roasted parsnips or wilted mustard greens would harmonize well, too.
Provided by David Tanis
Categories dinner, main course
Time 3h30m
Yield 4 to 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 17
Steps:
- Trim shanks of excess fat, then season generously with salt and pepper. In a small bowl, combine garlic, fresh ginger, paprika and cumin, and smear over shanks. Leave shanks at room temperature to season for at least an hour. (Or you can wrap and refrigerate several hours, or overnight; return to room temperature before proceeding.)
- In a Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed soup pot, melt butter over medium-high heat. Add onion, saffron and cayenne, and sprinkle with salt. Cook for 5 minutes, until somewhat softened. Stir in tomato paste and cook 1 minute. Lower heat to medium, add seasoned shanks and let cook with onions, turning occasionally, until meat and onions are lightly browned, about 10 minutes.
- Heat oven to 400 degrees. Add cinnamon stick, dried ginger, chopped dates and water to barely cover (about 31/2 to 4 cups) to the pot. Bring to a simmer, cover pot with a tightfitting lid and place in oven. Bake for 30 minutes, then turn heat down to 350 degrees. Check sauce and add water if level of liquid is below meat. Continue baking for another hour, checking liquid level occasionally, then test meat by probing with skewer or paring knife. It should be quite tender and almost falling from bone, but cooked no further. (Tagine may be prepared to this point up to two days ahead. Reheat gently in a covered pot on the stovetop, adding a little more water as necessary.)
- Remove meat from pot and place in deep, wide serving bowl. Skim off any surface fat from cooking liquid in pot. Add whole dates to pot and simmer for a few minutes to reduce sauce slightly. Pour sauce and dates over meat. To serve, garnish with raisins, pomegranate seeds and cilantro sprigs.
Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 732, UnsaturatedFat 19 grams, Carbohydrate 33 grams, Fat 43 grams, Fiber 4 grams, Protein 55 grams, SaturatedFat 21 grams, Sodium 991 milligrams, Sugar 23 grams, TransFat 0 grams
Tips:
- For the best flavor, use high-quality lamb shanks. Look for shanks that are meaty and have a good amount of marbling.
- Sear the lamb shanks before braising them. This will help to develop a rich, flavorful crust.
- Use a variety of spices in your tagine. Common spices used in Moroccan cuisine include cumin, coriander, ginger, turmeric, and paprika.
- Cook the tagine low and slow. This will allow the flavors to meld and the lamb to become tender.
- Serve the tagine with couscous or rice. Couscous is a traditional Moroccan side dish that is made from semolina flour.
Conclusion:
Lamb shank tagine with apricot couscous is a delicious and flavorful dish that is perfect for a special occasion. The lamb shanks are braised in a flavorful sauce made with spices, vegetables, and dried apricots. The couscous is cooked in a flavorful broth and then topped with the braised lamb shanks. This dish is sure to impress your guests and it is also easy to make.
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