How To Cook Lamb Tagine To Perfection In The Oven

Lamb tagine is a popular dish that can be cooked in an oven. The dish is named after the earthenware vessel in which it is traditionally prepared, but it can also be cooked in a Dutch oven or a heavy-bottomed pot. The recipe typically includes lamb, vegetables, spices, and dried fruit, and is served with couscous or flatbread. The cooking process involves browning the meat, sautéing the vegetables, and then combining all the ingredients in the pot and cooking in the oven for several hours.

What is a lamb tagine?

A lamb tagine is a North African dish that is named after the cooking pot in which it is traditionally made. Tagine pots have a conical lid and are often made from clay.

The dish itself is a stew that combines sweet and savoury ingredients to create a complex flavour. Lamb tagine is typically made with spices such as cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, and saffron, dried fruit like apricots, and nuts like almonds. It is usually served with couscous, but can also be served with flatbread.

To cook a lamb tagine, the meat is first marinated in spices and then browned in a pot. Vegetables like onions, garlic, and carrots are cooked, and then the meat is added back into the pot along with more spices, dried fruit, nuts, and a liquid like chicken or lamb stock. The stew is then left to simmer or cook in an oven until the meat is tender.

What ingredients do you need?

The ingredients you'll need for a lamb tagine can vary depending on the recipe you choose and your personal preferences. Here is a list of ingredients commonly used in lamb tagine recipes:

Meat:

Lamb is the star ingredient in this dish. You can use lamb neck, shoulder, leg, or any type of stewing lamb meat. Some recipes call for bone-in lamb, while others suggest boneless lamb. You can also ask your butcher for lamb bones to add an extra savoury note to your dish.

Spices:

Spices are essential to creating the rich, aromatic flavour of a lamb tagine. Here are some commonly used spices:

• Cinnamon
• Cayenne Pepper
• Black Pepper
• Ginger (fresh or ground)
• Turmeric
• Cardamom
• Coriander
• Cumin
• Saffron
• Cloves
• Nutmeg
• Paprika

Vegetables:

Onions and garlic are commonly used in lamb tagine recipes. Some recipes also call for carrots, celery, or other vegetables of your choice.

Fruits and Nuts:

Dried fruits such as apricots, dates, raisins, or sultanas are often added to tagines for a touch of sweetness. Almonds, either slivered or flaked, are also a popular addition, providing a crunchy texture.

Liquids:

You'll need some kind of liquid to create the sauce for your tagine. Here are some options:

• Chicken or lamb stock
• Tomato juice or tinned chopped tomatoes
• Lemon juice
• Honey
• Olive oil or argan oil

Other Ingredients:

• Couscous, for serving
• Fresh herbs such as coriander, parsley, or mint, for garnish
• Salt and pepper, for seasoning

What are the steps to cook it?

Firstly, prepare your ingredients. You will need lamb (either boneless or bone-in), spices such as cinnamon, ginger, cayenne pepper, saffron, cardamom, and salt, onions, garlic, tomatoes or tomato paste, dried fruit such as apricots and dates, almonds, olive oil or argan oil, and chicken or lamb stock. You can also add vegetables such as carrots, celery, and chickpeas, or use honey or lemon juice for additional flavour.

The night before you plan to cook, toss the lamb with salt and spices and leave it to marinate in the refrigerator. You can also soak dried apricots in hot stock and leave them to sit overnight.

When you're ready to cook, preheat your oven to around 150°C/300°F. Heat oil in a large, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the lamb in batches and brown it on all sides, then set it aside.

Next, add the onions to the pot and cook until they are soft. You can also add celery at this stage if you like. Then, add the garlic and spices, including ginger, cinnamon, and any other spices you are using. Cook this mixture for a few minutes until it becomes fragrant.

Return the lamb to the pot, along with the stock, tomatoes or tomato paste, dried fruit, and any other ingredients you are using, such as almonds, honey, or lemon juice. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and place it in the oven.

Cook the tagine in the oven for around 2-3 hours, or until the lamb is tender. You can also add bones to the pot for extra flavour. Check the tagine occasionally and give it a stir to ensure nothing is sticking to the bottom of the pot.

Once the lamb is tender, remove the pot from the oven and stir in fresh herbs such as coriander and parsley, if desired. Serve the lamb tagine with couscous or flatbreads, garnished with toasted almonds and fresh herbs.

What to serve with lamb tagine?

Lamb tagine is a rich and aromatic dish, so it is best paired with side dishes that balance the flavours and provide a variety of textures. Here are some ideas for what to serve with lamb tagine:

Salads

Salads are a common side dish to serve with lamb tagine. These can be cooked or raw, and typically include a variety of vegetables. Some salad options that pair well with lamb tagine include:

• Taktouka (Green Pepper and Tomato Salad)
• Libyan Sharmoula (Tomato and Cucumber Dip)
• Za'alook (Moroccan Eggplant Salad)
• Moroccan Carrot Salad with Vinaigrette
• Sweet Potato and Saffron Salad with Cinnamon
• Moroccan Roasted Pepper Salad
• Classic Moroccan Lentil Salad
• Moroccan Green Salad with Preserved Lemon Salad Dressing

Bread

Bread is also a traditional accompaniment to lamb tagine, as it is perfect for soaking up the sauce and scooping up the meat and vegetables. Some types of bread that you could serve include:

• Khobz (Moroccan bread)
• French baguette

Starch Side Dishes

Starch side dishes can also help to balance the richness of the lamb tagine. Here are some options:

• Couscous
• Rice (e.g. Nigerian Jollof Rice, Potato, Carrot and Rice Salad)
• Potato
• Green Beans

Other Side Dishes

There are also several other side dishes that can complement lamb tagine:

• Moroccan Spiced Olives
• Moroccan Cheese Briouats
• Roasted Butternut Squash Soup with Goat Cheese and Harissa Oil
• Lebanese Shorbat Adas (Lentil Soup)
• Moroccan Harira Soup

Drinks

Finally, here are some drink options that could pair well with lamb tagine:

• Rioja
• Grape juice (mosto)

What are some variations?

There are several ways to vary a lamb tagine recipe. Here are some suggestions:

Spices

You can experiment with different combinations and amounts of spices to find your preferred flavour profile. Common spices used in lamb tagine include cinnamon, cumin, coriander, cardamom, ginger, turmeric, cayenne pepper, cloves, nutmeg, saffron, paprika, and black pepper. Adjusting the amount of these spices can change the dish's heat and overall flavour.

Meat

While lamb is traditional, you could try other meats such as beef chuck, boneless beef ribs, pork shoulder, or pork scotch fillet. If you do opt for an alternative meat, consider adjusting the cooking time and spice blend to complement the new protein.

Fruit and Vegetables

Dried apricots are a popular addition to lamb tagine, providing a burst of sweetness. However, you could also try dates, raisins, or sultanas. For a more savoury dish, consider adding carrots, mushrooms, or chickpeas. Olives are another common ingredient in tagines and can be used in place of, or in addition to, dried fruit.

Garnishes

Toasted almonds and fresh herbs like coriander (cilantro) and parsley are often used to garnish lamb tagine. You could also try serving it with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice or a sprinkle of scallions.

Sides

Lamb tagine is commonly served with couscous, but you could also try flatbread, rice, or a simple green salad.

Frequently asked questions