Mastering The Tagine Pot: A Beginner's Guide To Deliciousness

Tagine cooking is a traditional North African method that uses a conical-lidded pot to slowly braise ingredients. The unique shape of the tagine pot allows steam to circulate, creating condensation that drips back into the pot, keeping food moist and tender. Tagine cooking is a slow-cooking method that requires very little work from the cook. Tagines are traditionally made from earthenware but can also be made from metal or flameproof glazed ceramic. They can be used on a variety of heat sources, including stovetops, ovens, and open flames, but care must be taken to avoid cracking the pot.

How to season a tagine pot

Seasoning a tagine pot is essential to strengthen it and prevent it from cracking when placed on a hot stove. It also helps to remove any raw clay taste. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to season your tagine pot:

Firstly, you need to soak the lid and base of the tagine in water for at least two hours or overnight. If your tagine is too large for your sink, you can use a bathtub or a bucket. This step can be skipped if your tagine is glazed.

After soaking, drain the water and dry the tagine. If your tagine is unglazed, rub olive oil on the interior and exterior of the lid and base.

Next, place the tagine in a cold oven and set the temperature to 300°F/150°C. Leave it to bake for about two hours.

Once the time is up, turn off the oven and let the tagine cool down completely inside. After it has cooled, wash the tagine and coat the interior with olive oil again.

Your tagine pot is now ready for cooking! Remember to always hand wash your tagine and avoid subjecting it to extreme temperature changes to prevent cracking.

What to cook

Tagine recipes traditionally come from the Middle East and North Africa and usually involve a blend of sweet and savoury flavours. They are slow-cooked, one-pot meals that are easy to make and require very little work from the cook.

Tagine pots are great for cooking meat, fish, or vegetables. The conical lid allows steam to circulate during cooking, creating condensation that drips back onto the food, keeping it moist. This means you don't need to add too much liquid to the dish.

• Chicken stews
• Lamb tagine with apricots and almonds
• Chicken and dried fig tagine
• Vegetable tagine with apricots
• Moroccan meatballs
• Rice dishes
• Pork spare ribs

You can also use a tagine to cook anything you would usually make in a Dutch oven.

How to cook in a tagine

Tagines are a great way to cook up a storm, especially if you're a fan of slow-cooked, one-pot meals. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to cook in a tagine:

Getting Started:

Before you begin cooking, it's important to bring the tagine to room temperature. Placing a cold tagine, especially an unglazed earthenware one, directly onto a hot surface can cause it to crack. So, make sure to let it adjust to the room temperature first.

Preparing the Ingredients:

When it comes to adding ingredients, start by lightly cooking the onion and spices. Then, add the meat and pour in the liquid. You don't need to add too much liquid as the tagine creates steam during the cooking process, keeping everything moist.

Cooking:

Once you've added all the ingredients, cover the tagine with its lid. You can then place it in the oven or leave it to cook slowly on the stovetop. The conical shape of the lid allows steam to circulate, creating condensation that drips back onto the food, keeping it moist and tender. This is the beauty of cooking with a tagine!

Serving:

One of the great things about a tagine is that it doubles as a serving dish. Just remember to protect your table, as the base will be hot. And there you have it—a delicious, slow-cooked meal straight from your tagine to the table!

Cleaning:

After you're done feasting, remember to hand wash your tagine. Avoid putting it in the dishwasher, as it requires special care. Also, when storing your tagine, keep the lid slightly ajar to allow for air circulation and prevent any build-up of flavours or moisture.

How to clean a tagine

To clean a tagine, you should always hand wash it with very mild soap, baking soda, or vinegar, and rinse thoroughly. Leave the tagine to dry completely, and then lightly coat the interior of the lid and base with olive oil before storing.

• Wash by hand: Use very mild soapy warm water, baking soda, or vinegar, and rinse well. Traditional, unglazed terracotta tagines should be washed by hand. Even if you have a glazed tagine that is dishwasher-safe, it is still recommended to hand wash your tagine after each use.
• Dry thoroughly: Make sure the tagine is completely dry before storing.
• Coat with olive oil: Lightly coat the interior of the lid and base with olive oil before storing. This helps to prevent mould or dampness.
• Store with the lid ajar: Keep your tagine with the lid slightly ajar to allow for air circulation and prevent mould or a build-up of flavours.

Additional Tips:

• Avoid thermal shock: Do not plunge a hot tagine into cold water as this can cause thermal shock damage to the enamel. Always let the tagine cool down before washing.
• Wipe the lid: Wipe over the whole lid with a hot soapy cloth, paying particular attention to the unglazed rim, which should be cleaned after each use to prevent any build-up of grease.
• Remove stubborn residues: Nylon or other soft abrasive pads and brushes can be used to remove stubborn residues. Do not use metallic pads or harsh abrasive cleaning agents, such as bleach, as these can damage the enamel.
• Soak for severe residues: If there are severe food residues, soak the tagine in hot water for 15-20 minutes and then wash as usual. Repeat if needed.
• Dry the lid and base thoroughly: Always dry the lid and base thoroughly before storing. Lay the lid on its side for a short while to ensure the rim is completely dry. Never store them away while still damp.
• Store in a dry place: Store your tagine in a dry cupboard or airy space with the lid in an upright position to avoid damage.

The best tagine pots to buy

Tagine pots are essential cookware in Moroccan cuisine and are used for slow-cooking meat and vegetables. The best tagine for you will depend on your specific needs, preferences, and budget. Here is a list of some of the best tagine pots available:

Verve Culture Moroccan Tagine Pot

This terracotta tagine pot is our top pick. It features traditional Berber designs and is hand-cast and glazed in Morocco. The clay imparts an earthy flavour to the food cooked in it, and the steam vent hole releases just the right amount of moisture, keeping food moist but not soggy. It is lightweight and gorgeous enough to be a centerpiece on your table. However, it is a bit on the smaller side and only serves two people. It is available for $60 at Amazon and $70 at Saks Fifth Avenue.

Emile Henry 3.7-Quart Flame Tagine

The Emile Henry tagine is one of the most searched-for tagines. It is made of glazed ceramic, which is more durable than traditional clay and easier to clean. It can withstand temperatures up to 500° F and is oven-safe, microwave-safe, and dishwasher-safe. It is available in a few pretty hues and is large enough to cook bigger meals. It is available for $150 at Amazon, $150 at Sur La Table, and $100 at Nordstrom.

Kook Moroccan Tagine

This cast iron tagine is durable and easy to cook with. It has a steam vent in the lid, which can deepen the flavour and enrich the texture of the final dish. It is induction-compatible and can be used on gas stoves or in the oven. It comes in various striking ombre-style lids in crimson, stone blue, or terracotta. It is available for $75 at Amazon, $90 at Target, and $80 at other retailers.

Uno Casa 3.6-Quart Enameled Cast Iron Moroccan Tagine

This tagine offers the best of both worlds with a durable cast iron base and a glazed ceramic lid. The lid is easy to remove, and the base does not need to be seasoned before use. The red ceramic lid seals in moisture during cooking and keeps food warm on the table. The tagine comes with matching red oven mitts. It is available for $60 at Amazon, Walmart, and Unocasa.

Kamsah Medium Handmade and Hand-Painted Tagine Pot

This fair-trade tagine pot is handmade in Tunisia by a woman-owned family company staffed by women artisans. It comes in medium or large sizes and in colourways like blue and red. It can be used in temperatures up to 375°F, but do not place the hot pot on a cold surface as it will crack. It is available for $100 at Amazon and $60 at Wayfair.

Casablanca Market Moroccan Cooking Tagine

This is the only unglazed tagine pot on our list. It is a simple terra-cotta vessel with a rounded dome top embellished with the outline of a bird. It will need to be seasoned before its first use to strengthen the material. It can be used on low heat on the stovetop and up to 350°F in the oven. It is not dishwasher-safe but is food-safe and lead-free. It is available for $56 at Amazon and $71 at Wayfair.

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