Gluten-Free Lamb Tagine with Apricots and Almonds
Why this recipe works
- Layered spicing: Cinnamon and cumin are briefly cooked with garlic so their flavour blooms before the stock is added.
- Tender, warming result: Lamb shoulder suits slow simmering, becoming soft and rich as the sauce develops.
- Sweetness and crunch: Apricots soften into the sauce, while toasted almonds add a crisp finish just before serving.
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Ingredient notes
- Choose lamb shoulder: Boneless lamb shoulder is well suited to long, gentle cooking and gives a richer result than very lean cuts.
- Add almonds at the end: Toasted almonds are best scattered over just before serving so they stay crisp against the soft lamb and fruit.
- Balance the fruit: If the apricots are very sweet, use the honey lightly and adjust the final seasoning to keep the sauce savoury.
Common mistakes
- Simmer gently: Once the stock is added, keep the heat low; a hard boil can toughen the lamb and reduce the sauce too quickly.
- Watch the spices: Cinnamon and cumin only need a brief cook before the liquid goes in, as ground spices can catch easily.
- Finish the sauce properly: If the sauce is thin, simmer uncovered for a little longer; if it has reduced too far, loosen it gradually with stock.
Make-ahead tips
- Make ahead: The lamb and sauce can be cooked in advance, cooled and refrigerated, then reheated gently when needed.
- Reheat gently: Warm on the hob with a splash of stock until piping hot throughout, then add freshly toasted almonds to serve.
- Freezer friendly: Freeze the cooled tagine without the almond topping, then defrost overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Serving ideas
- Keep it gluten-free: Serve with rice, roasted potatoes, millet or a gluten-free couscous alternative to soak up the sauce.
- Fresh finish: A scattering of fresh herbs or a little citrus zest can lift the richness without changing the character of the dish.
Equipment you'll need
Ingredients
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a tagine base or Dutch oven over medium heat. Thinly slice the onion, then add it with a pinch of the salt and cook for 8 to 10 minutes until softened and lightly golden.
- Meanwhile, cut the lamb into bite-sized pieces and season with the remaining salt and the black pepper. Add the lamb to the pan and cook for 6 to 8 minutes, turning, until browned all over.
- Crush the garlic and stir it in with the cinnamon and cumin. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant, stirring so the spices do not catch.
- Pour in the chicken stock and bring to a gentle simmer, scraping up any browned bits. Cover and cook on a very low simmer for 70 minutes, stirring once or twice, until the lamb is tender.
- Stir in the dried apricots and honey. Cover and simmer for 15 minutes, then uncover and simmer for 5 minutes until the sauce is glossy and lightly thickened.
- Toast the slivered almonds in a dry saucepan over medium heat for 2 to 4 minutes, shaking often, until golden and nutty. Spoon the tagine into bowls and scatter over the toasted almonds just before serving.
Recipe notes
Tips
- Keep the heat low once the stock goes in; a gentle simmer gives the most tender lamb and stops the sauce reducing too quickly.
- If the sauce looks thin at the end, simmer uncovered for a few extra minutes; if it looks tight, loosen with a splash of chicken stock.
- If serving vulnerable groups, make sure the lamb is cooked until piping hot throughout.
Substitutions
- Replace slivered almonds with sliced almonds for a similar toasted topping.
- Replace chicken stock with vegetable stock for a lighter, slightly sweeter base.
- Replace honey with maple syrup for a different, but still sweet finish.
Storage
- Refrigerate up to 3 days
- Cool completely, then refrigerate in a sealed container for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the hob with a splash of chicken stock until piping hot; toast fresh slivered almonds to serve. Freeze for up to 3 months and defrost overnight in the fridge before reheating.
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Recipe overview
- Servings: 4 servings
- Total time: 2h (25min active)
- Difficulty: Medium
- Cuisine: Middle Eastern
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Allergens:
Tree nuts
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