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Moroccan lamb tagine with ras el hanout and couscous (recipes)






Serves 4-6



Preparation time

less than 30 mins



Cooking time

over 2 hours

















Ingredients



2kg/4lbs 6½oz lamb shanks, cut across into slices about 4cm/1½in thick (you can ask your butcher to do this for you)salt and freshly ground black pepper3 tbsp olive oilFor the spice paste4 garlic cloves2 shallots, roughly chopped1 red chilli, seeded and roughly choppedStalks from 20g/¾oz packet fresh coriander, leaves reserved1 tsp freshly ground white pepper½ tsp salt For the tagine4 tsp ras el hanout450g/1 lb carrots, peeled and cut on the diagonal into 7.5cm (3in) pieces200g/7oz onions, sliced8 x 50g/1¾oz waxy potatoes, such as Charlotte, peeled and left whole400g/14oz sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into pieces the same size as the potatoes450g/1 lb vine-ripened tomatoes, thickly sliced75g/2½oz dried apricots, (no need to soak)2 tbsp clear honey1.2litres/2pints 2fl oz chicken or vegetable stock3 bay leaves1 tsp saltFor the buttered couscous450g/1 lb couscous½ tsp salt450ml/16fl oz boiling water25g/1oz butter2 tbsp olive oil



Method



1. Trim the lamb of any excess fat and then season well with salt and freshly ground black pepper.2. For the spice paste, put all the ingredients into a mini-food processor or use a mortar and pestle, and grind to a smooth paste.3. Heat the olive oil in a large flameproof casserole dish. Add the lamb pieces and brown on both sides. Lift onto a plate and set aside. 4. Add the spice paste to the remaining oil left in the casserole and fry gently for 2-3 minutes. 5. Add the ras el hanout and fry for a further minute. 6. Add the carrots, onions, potatoes, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, apricots and turn over a few times in the spice mixture. 7. Return the lamb to the pan and add the honey and enough stock to not quite cover the meat. 8. Add the bay leaves and one teaspoon of salt. Bring to the boil and leave to simmer gently, uncovered, for 1½-2 hours, turning the pieces of meat every now and then as the liquid reduces, until the lamb is tender.9. Ten minutes before the tagine is cooked, put the couscous and salt into a large bowl and stir in the boiling water. 10. Cover with a tea towel and leave to soak for five minutes. Then uncover and fluff up into separate grains with a fork. 11. Melt the butter with the oil in a large pan, add the couscous and stir over a low heat for a couple of minutes until heated through. 12. Skim the excess oil from the top of the stew. 13. Chop the remaining coriander leaves, scatter over the top, and serve at the table from the casserole, with the couscous.