Best 7 Moroccan Lamb Tagine With Dates And Pearl Onions Recipes

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Embark on a culinary journey to Morocco with this tantalizing lamb tagine recipe, a harmonious blend of savory and sweet flavors. Succulent lamb shoulder simmers in a fragrant broth infused with an aromatic symphony of spices, dried fruits, and vegetables. The result is a melt-in-your-mouth masterpiece, where tender lamb mingles with sweet dates, tangy preserved lemons, and plump pearl onions.

This recipe also includes variations to cater to different dietary preferences and taste buds. For a vegetarian delight, substitute the lamb with a medley of colorful vegetables, creating a hearty and flavorful tagine. For those who prefer a milder taste, adjust the spice level to suit your palate. Additionally, there's a guide on how to prepare homemade preserved lemons, an essential ingredient that adds a unique tang to the dish.

Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!

MOROCCAN LAMB TAGINE



Moroccan Lamb Tagine image

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

Good olive oil
6 small frenched lamb shanks (5 to 6 pounds total)
3 cups chopped yellow onions (2 large onions)
3 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger
1 1/2 teaspoons chili powder
1 1/2 teaspoons ground turmeric
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom
1 (4-inch) cinnamon stick
1 (28-ounce) can diced tomatoes, such as San Marzano
2 cups good chicken stock, preferably homemade
2 tablespoons light brown sugar, lightly packed
4 (1/2-inch-thick) slices of lime
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 pound Yukon Gold potatoes, unpeeled and 1-inch-diced
1 pound butternut squash, peeled and 1-inch-diced
1/2 pound sweet potatoes, unpeeled and 1-inch-diced
Couscous, for serving

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 SHANK TAGINE WITH DATES



Lamb Shank Tagine With Dates image

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

3 large lamb shanks, about 4 1/2 pounds
Salt and pepper
6 garlic cloves, minced
1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger
1 tablespoon paprika
2 teaspoons ground cumin
2 tablespoons butter
1 large onion, sliced, about 2 cups
Small pinch saffron
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 tablespoon tomato paste
1 2-inch piece cinnamon stick
2 teaspoons dried ginger
1/2 cup chopped dates of any kind, plus 24 whole Medjool dates
1/2 cup golden raisins, soaked in hot water to soften for 30 minutes and drained
1/2 cup pomegranate seeds
Cilantro sprigs, for garnish

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

MOROCCAN LAMB TAGINE



Moroccan Lamb Tagine image

Provided by Ina Garten

Time 3h40m

Yield 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 24

Good olive oil
6 small frenched lamb shanks (5 to 6 pounds total)
3 cups chopped yellow onions (2 large onions)
3 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger
1 1/2 teaspoons chili powder
1 1/2 teaspoons ground turmeric
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom
1 (4-inch) cinnamon stick
1 (28-ounce) can diced tomatoes, such as San Marzano
2 cups good chicken stock, preferably homemade
2 tablespoons light brown sugar, lightly packed
4 (1/2-inch-thick) slices of lime
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 pound Yukon Gold potatoes, unpeeled and 1-inch-diced
1 pound butternut squash, peeled and 1-inch-diced
1/2 pound sweet potatoes, unpeeled and 1-inch-diced
Steamed Couscous, recipe follows, for serving
4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) unsalted butter
2 cups chopped yellow onions (2 onions)
3 cups good chicken stock, preferably homemade
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 cups couscous (12 ounces)

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.

LAMB TAGINE



Lamb Tagine image

The word "tagine" refers to both a North African cooking pot with a conical lid, and the aromatic stew traditionally cooked inside. Tagine, the stew, classically incorporates savory and sweet ingredients to make a complex dish with a richly spiced sauce. Here, dried apricots, cinnamon, nutmeg and a sprinkling of almonds toasted in butter provide the sweetness, while lamb, saffron, turmeric, tomato paste and a bright garnish of scallions, herbs and lemon juice make it deeply savory. If you have a tagine, the pot, feel free to use it here. Otherwise, a Dutch oven or a different large pot with a tightfitting lid will work well. This recipe is part of The New Essentials of French Cooking, a guide to definitive dishes every modern cook should master. Buy the book.

Provided by Melissa Clark

Categories     dinner, lunch, main course

Time 4h

Yield 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 21

3 pounds bone-in lamb stew meat or lamb neck, cut into 1 1/2-inch pieces
2 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt, more as needed
1 3/4 cups lamb or chicken stock
5 ounces (1 cup) dried apricots
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, more as needed
2 large onions, thinly sliced
1 teaspoon tomato paste
1/2 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
2 small cinnamon sticks
Large pinch saffron
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
3/4 teaspoon ground turmeric
3/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Pinch freshly grated nutmeg
1/3 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
1/2 cup slivered almonds
2 scallions, finely chopped
2 tablespoons chopped parsley
Fresh lemon juice, to taste

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.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 644, UnsaturatedFat 26 grams, Carbohydrate 19 grams, Fat 49 grams, Fiber 3 grams, Protein 32 grams, SaturatedFat 19 grams, Sodium 691 milligrams, Sugar 12 grams, TransFat 0 grams

MOROCCAN LAMB TAGINE (MROUZIA)



Moroccan Lamb Tagine (Mrouzia) image

A delicious, sweet, and fragrant tagine usually made for Eid al-Adha, but also perfect for winter days. This dish is best made a day in advance, as it tastes twice as good the next day! Serve with couscous, rice, or bread.

Provided by Kate Veeoh

Categories     Soups, Stews and Chili Recipes     Stews

Time 9h50m

Yield 12

Number Of Ingredients 27

½ cup water
1 tablespoon paprika
1 ½ teaspoons ras el hanout
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground coriander
½ teaspoon ground cloves
½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
½ teaspoon ground cardamom
¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper, or more to taste
¼ teaspoon ground turmeric
salt to taste
¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
3 pounds lamb shoulder, trimmed and cut into cubes
½ cup butter
2 medium onions, finely chopped
1 shallot, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
2 cinnamon sticks
3 cups chicken stock, or more as needed
2 cups whole blanched almonds
1 cup diced carrots
1 cup chopped dried apricots
½ cup raisins
½ cup pitted, chopped prunes
⅓ cup honey
1 tablespoon lemon juice, or more to taste

Steps:

  • Mix water, paprika, ras el hanout, black pepper, cinnamon, coriander, cloves, nutmeg, cardamom, cayenne pepper, turmeric, and salt in a small bowl. Add red pepper flakes to the spice paste if you want more of a kick to your dish.
  • Place lamb cubes in a large bowl and rub in the spice paste. Cover and refrigerate 8 hours to overnight.
  • Melt butter in a Dutch oven. Add onions, shallot, garlic, and cinnamon sticks; saute for 6 to 8 minutes. Add lamb with the spice paste. Cover with chicken stock and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer until tender, 1 to 1 1/2 hours. Add more stock if lamb looks dry.
  • Add almonds, carrots, apricots, raisins, prunes, and honey to the Dutch oven. Simmer until lamb is completely tender, carrots are cooked, and almonds are slightly softened, 15 to 30 minutes more. Add lemon juice. Season with salt.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 493.6 calories, Carbohydrate 34.7 g, Cholesterol 78.5 mg, Fat 32.2 g, Fiber 5.7 g, Protein 21.6 g, SaturatedFat 10.7 g, Sodium 294.6 mg, Sugar 23.5 g

LAMB TAGINE WITH DATES & SWEET POTATOES



Lamb tagine with dates & sweet potatoes image

This is one of those wonderful dishes that improves with keeping

Provided by Mary Cadogan

Categories     Main course

Time 2h30m

Number Of Ingredients 12

6 tbsp olive oil
4 onions , thinly sliced
2 tbsp finely chopped fresh root ginger
2kg boneless lamb shoulder, cut into 5cm chunks
4 tsp ground cumin
2 tsp each paprika and ground coriander
2 cinnamon sticks
850ml passata
700g sweet potato , cut into chunks
350g pitted date
100g blanched almond , toasted
good handful coriander , roughly chopped

Steps:

  • Heat the oil in a large, deep pan. Add the onions, then gently fry until softened, about 5 mins. Stir in the ginger, add the meat in batches, then fry on all sides until lightly coloured. Return all the meat to the pan, stir in the spices and cinnamon sticks, then cook for 1 min.
  • Add the passata and 800ml water, then bring to the boil, stirring. Season well, then cover and simmer for 1½ hrs, until the lamb is tender.
  • Add the sweet potatoes, stir well, cover again, then cook for 20 mins or until the potatoes are just tender. Stir in the dates and heat through for 5 mins. Taste and add more seasoning if necessary. To serve, spoon the tagine into a serving dish and scatter with the almonds and coriander.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 646 calories, Fat 32 grams fat, SaturatedFat 13 grams saturated fat, Carbohydrate 49 grams carbohydrates, Sugar 33 grams sugar, Protein 42 grams protein, Sodium 0.82 milligram of sodium

MOROCCAN LAMB TAGINE WITH DATES AND PEARL ONIONS



Moroccan Lamb Tagine with Dates and Pearl Onions image

Categories     Soup/Stew     Fruit     Herb     Lamb     Onion     Stew     Date     Spice     Spring     Winter     Bon Appétit

Yield Serves 6

Number Of Ingredients 12

10 ounces pearl onions
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
3 pounds boneless lamb shoulder or stew meat, cut into 1 1/2-inch pieces
5 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1/8 teaspoon crushed saffron threads
1 1/2 cups (about) water
8 ounces pitted dates
2 tablespoons honey
2 tablespoons slivered almonds, toasted

Steps:

  • Cook onions in medium pot of boiling water 2 minutes. Drain, rinse under cold water and peel.
  • Heat vegetable oil in heavy large dutch oven over medium-high heat. Working in batches, season lamb with salt and pepper, add to Dutch oven and brown, about 4 minutes per batch. Using slotted spoon, transfer lamb to bowl after each batch is browned. Return all lamb and any juices to Dutch oven. Mix in chopped fresh parsley, chopped cilantro, ground cinnamon, ginger and saffron. Add 1 cup water and 1/2 cup pearl onions. Reduce heat to medium-low. Cover and simmer until lamb is tender, about 1 hour.
  • Using slotted spoon, transfer lamb and pearl onions to bowl. Reserve 3 dates for garnish; add remaining dates and honey to sauce in Dutch oven. Simmer sauce 5 minutes, mashing dates to coarse puree with back of fork. Add remaining pearl onions and simmer until almost tender, about 5 minutes. Mix in remaining 1/2 cup water if necessary to thin sauce. Return lamb mixture to Dutch oven; simmer until heated through about 5 minutes.
  • Season tagine to taste with salt and pepper. Transfer to platter. Top with slivered almonds and reserved dates.

Tips:

  • Use high-quality lamb: Choose lamb shoulder or leg for the best flavor and texture.
  • Brown the lamb: Searing the lamb in a hot skillet before adding it to the tagine helps develop flavor and color.
  • Use a variety of spices: Moroccan lamb tagine typically includes a blend of spices, such as cumin, coriander, ginger, paprika, and turmeric.
  • Add sweetness with dates and onions: Dates and pearl onions add a sweet and savory flavor to the tagine.
  • Simmer the tagine: Allow the tagine to simmer for at least 1 hour, or until the lamb is tender.
  • Serve the tagine with couscous or bread: Couscous or bread are traditional accompaniments to Moroccan lamb tagine.

Conclusion:

Moroccan lamb tagine with dates and pearl onions is a flavorful and aromatic dish that is perfect for a special occasion. The lamb is tender and succulent, and the dates and onions add a touch of sweetness. This tagine is sure to impress your guests.

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