Lamb, Shallot and Date Tajine

Submitted by evelynathens

"Lovely, warm, spicy Mediterannean notes. Good winter fare. This recipe is from Paul Merrett (Fresh Food)."

 

• Ready In: 2hrs
• Ingredients: 16
• Serves: 6

ingredients

• 3 1⁄4 lbs leg of lamb, diced
• 2 teaspoons ground coriander
• 2 teaspoons ground ginger
• 1 pinch saffron
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 18 whole shallots, peeled
• 4 garlic cloves, crushed
• 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon tomato puree
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 1 pint lamb stock (or chicken stock)
• 2 tablespoons chopped flat leaf parsley
• 2 tablespoons chopped coriander
• 1 preserved lemon, rind of, minced
• 4 ounces pitted medjool dates, chopped
• 1 tablespoon clear honey

directions

1. Place the lamb in a bowl and add the ground coriander, ginger, saffron and olive oil.
2. Mix well and leave to marinate for 24 hours.
3. Brown off the lamb and set aside.
4. Fry the shallots until lightly golden then add the garlic and the lamb.
5. Add the flour, tomato puree and cinnamon stick.
6. Stir in the lamb stock and bring to the boil.
7. Cover tightly and simmer gently for 1 1/2 hours.
8. Add the parsley, coriander, lemon rind, dates and honey.
9. Accompaniments Serve with spiced couscous.
10. This sounds like the type of thing that might work well in a crockpot.

Reviews

[Michelle Berteig]

Very tasty and the sauce was terrific! I think the recipe is missing some proportions and directions, though. The amount of olive oil and spices used to marinate the meat is not nearly enough for the quantity of meat specified. In fact, I wouldn't marinate the meat at all, I can't see that it added anything to the finished product. I used more spices than indicated, including salt, pepper and lamb seasoning. For the amount of liquid added, more flour is needed. I added more, and still my final product was more soup-like. Also, add the flour to the sauteed shallots (to make a roux), not directly to the liquid, or you will have lumps of flour. 18 shallots is way too many, I used half that many. I don't know how large shallots are in general, but mine were very large, almost the size of small onions. I think this recipe would be good with added vegetables to it, like squash or something like that. The recipe also didn't state this, but I used olive oil to brown the lamb and also to saute the shallots. This is a very good recipe and I hope these tips are useful. Made for the Pink Panthers on the Prowl for ZWT9.

 

[Orphic Myth]

Very succulent and easy to prepare! A medley of flavors, highly recommended.

 

[Chef Kate]

An excellent tagine. The lamb is meltingly tender, the onions and spice and herbs make a lovely sauce, and the dates and honey add a very subtle undercurrent of sweetness. I did chop the dates into dice and finely minced the preserved lemon rind.