Lamb Tagine with Apricots and Chickpeas
Why this recipe works
- Gentle braising: A low, covered simmer gives lamb shoulder time to become tender while the stock absorbs the browned meat, onions and warm spices.
- Sweet-savoury balance: Dried apricots soften into the sauce, adding rounded sweetness without overwhelming the cumin, cinnamon and savoury lamb.
- Contrasting finish: Toasted almonds bring crispness and nuttiness to the tender lamb, plump apricots and soft couscous.
Get the most out of this recipe
Ingredient notes
- Use lamb shoulder: Boneless lamb shoulder suits slow cooking because it becomes tender and flavourful over a long, gentle simmer.
- Choose soft dried apricots: Softer dried apricots plump readily in the sauce; very dry ones may need a little longer to soften.
- Toast the almonds carefully: Move the almonds to a plate as soon as they turn golden, as residual heat can quickly take them from toasted to bitter.
Texture tips
- Keep the simmer low: A barely bubbling sauce gives the lamb time to soften without tightening or drying out.
- Finish uncovered: The final uncovered simmer helps the apricots plump and lets the sauce reduce to a lightly thickened consistency.
Make-ahead tips
- Cook ahead: The tagine can be made in advance and refrigerated once cooled; the flavours settle well as it rests.
- Reheat gently: Warm in a saucepan over low heat, adding a little water if the sauce has thickened too much, until piping hot throughout.
- Freeze the stew, not the couscous: Freeze the cooled tagine in a sealed container and prepare fresh couscous when serving for the best texture.
Authenticity notes
- Sweet-savoury style: The combination of lamb, warm spices, dried fruit and nuts reflects a widely recognised Moroccan tagine flavour profile.
- Serve with couscous: Couscous is a natural pairing because it absorbs the aromatic sauce without competing with the tender lamb and apricots.
Equipment you'll need
Ingredients
Tagine
To serve
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a tagine base or a Dutch oven over medium heat. Slice the onion and thinly slice the garlic.
- Add the onion with a pinch of salt and cook for 8 to 10 minutes until softened and lightly golden. Stir in the garlic, cumin and cinnamon and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Cut the lamb into large bite-sized pieces and add to the pot. Cook for 6 to 8 minutes, turning, until browned on most sides.
- Pour in the stock and bring to a gentle simmer, scraping up any browned bits. Cover and cook on a very low heat for 75 to 90 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the lamb is very tender.
- Stir in the apricots and chickpeas (drained and rinsed). Simmer, uncovered, for 15 to 20 minutes until the apricots are plump and the sauce is lightly thickened.
- Toast the almonds in a dry frying pan over medium heat for 2 to 4 minutes, stirring, until golden. Tip onto a plate straight away so they do not overcook.
- Make the couscous according to the packet instructions. Serve the tagine over couscous and scatter with the toasted almonds.
Recipe notes
Serving suggestions
This recipe pairs well with:
Tips
- Keep the heat low enough that the tagine barely simmers; a gentle bubble gives the most tender lamb and prevents the sauce reducing too quickly.
- If serving vulnerable groups, ensure the lamb is cooked until piping hot throughout and the sauce is bubbling before serving.
Substitutions
- Replace Lamb stock with Chicken stock for a lighter but still savoury sauce.
- Replace Slivered almonds with Pistachios for a more traditional nutty finish.
Storage
- Refrigerate up to 3 days
- Cool the tagine quickly, then refrigerate in a sealed container. Reheat gently in a saucepan over low heat, adding a splash of water if needed, until piping hot; keep couscous separate and make fresh if possible.
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Recipe overview
- Servings: 4 servings
- Total time: 2h 30min (30min active)
- Difficulty: Medium
- Cuisine: Moroccan
-
Allergens:
Almonds
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