Moroccan Slow Cooked Lamb

Wendys Kitchen's Note:

Another Epicurious recipe.

• Total Time: 1 hrs 40 mins
• Prep Time: 20 mins
• Cook Time: 1 hrs 20 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 6

• 1 tablespoon ground cumin
• 2 teaspoons ground coriander
• 1 ½ teaspoons salt
• 1 teaspoon fennel seed
• ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
• ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
• 2 ½ lbs trimmed boneless lamb shoulder , cut into 1 1/2- to 2-inch pieces
• 4 tablespoons olive oil , divided
• 1 large onion , finely chopped
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste
• 2 cups low sodium chicken broth
• 1 (15 ½ ounce) can garbanzo beans , drained (chickpeas)
• 1 cup dried apricot (about 5 ounces)
• 2 large plum tomatoes , chopped
• 2 cinnamon sticks
• 1 tablespoon minced peeled fresh ginger
• 2 teaspoons packed grated lemon peel
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro

Directions:

1. Mix first 6 ingredients in large bowl. Add lamb and toss to coat.
2. Heat 2 tablespoons oil in heavy large skillet over medium-high heat.
3. Working in batches, add lamb to skillet and cook until browned on all sides, turning occasionally and adding 2 more tablespoons oil to skillet between batches, about 8 minutes per batch.
4. Transfer lamb to another large bowl after each batch.
5. Add onion and tomato paste to drippings in skillet.
6. Reduce heat to medium; sauté until onion is soft, about 5 minutes.
7. Add broth, garbanzo beans, apricots, tomatoes, cinnamon sticks, ginger, and lemon peel and bring to boil, scraping up browned bits.
8. Return lamb to skillet and bring to boil. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer until lamb is just tender, about 1 hour.
9. Uncover and simmer until sauce thickens enough to coat spoon, about 20 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. (Can be prepared 1 day ahead. Cool slightly. Refrigerate uncovered until cold, then cover and keep chilled. Rewarm over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally.).
10. Transfer lamb and sauce to bowl. Sprinkle with cilantro and serve.

Reviews

[amanda l b]

This is wonderful recipe and has become a favourite in our house. I made some slight some modifications to suit the palate of my family - I ommitted the lemon peel and dried apricots and added some roasted pinenuts. I used diced lamb (all visible fat removed) and increased the cooking time to 3 hours. I made this recently as part of a Moroccan 'feast' for 40 people and it was received with rave reviews. The recipe trebled with ease.