Slow-Cooked Tagine: A Spicy, Effortless Delight

Tagine is a slow-cooked Moroccan stew that can be made with chicken or lamb, along with vegetables and dried fruits. The dish is cooked low and slow to allow the meat to become tender and absorb the spices, resulting in a fragrant and flavorful meal. Tagines are typically served with couscous and can be adapted to include a variety of ingredients such as apricots, prunes, olives, and chickpeas. This paragraph will explore the process of cooking a tagine in a slow cooker, highlighting the key steps and ingredients to create a delicious and hearty dish.

Ingredients for a lamb tagine

Lamb tagine is a hearty dish, perfect for cold weather. The lamb is slow-cooked until tender, and the sauce is thick and richly spiced. Here is a list of ingredients for a delicious lamb tagine:

Lamb and Spices

Lamb is the star of this dish, and the best cuts for tagine are lamb shoulder, neck, or leg. These cuts have a good amount of fat, which adds flavour and keeps the meat moist. You will need around 900g of lamb, cut into chunks.

For spices, you can use a ras el hanout spice mix, which typically includes ground coriander, cumin, cardamom, turmeric, fennel powder, cayenne pepper, ground cloves, and ground ginger. Cinnamon is also a key spice in lamb tagine, and it is best to use cinnamon sticks rather than powder for a more subtle, earthy flavour.

Aromatics

Aromatics form the flavour base of the dish and typically include garlic, onion, and ginger. Sautéing these ingredients releases their aromatic compounds, adding depth to the dish.

Liquid and Thickening Agents

Chicken or lamb stock is typically used as the braising liquid, though some recipes call for beef stock. Traditionally, water is used, but stock adds more flavour. Tomato paste or puree is used to thicken the sauce and add a subtle touch of flavour.

Fruits and Nuts

Dried fruits, such as apricots, dates, prunes, or raisins, add a touch of sweetness to the savoury dish. Some recipes also include olives. For a textural contrast, top the dish with nuts like pistachios or almonds.

Accompaniments

Lamb tagine is often served with couscous, rice, or flatbread. To enhance the dish further, you can serve it with natural yoghurt, pomegranate seeds, and fresh herbs like coriander or mint.

Ingredients for a chicken tagine

Chicken

Chicken thighs or legs are the best choice, as the meat is less likely to dry out during the slow cooking process. If you prefer, you can use skinless and boneless chicken thighs, or even substitute chicken breasts.

Vegetables

• Onions (red or brown)
• Carrots
• Peppers
• Garlic
• Ginger
• Parsnips
• Tomatoes (chopped or tinned)

Fruits and Nuts

• Dried apricots, raisins, or prunes
• Olives
• Lemon juice and wedges
• Almonds

Legumes

Chickpeas (tinned or dried)

Spices

• Cumin
• Coriander
• Turmeric
• Cinnamon
• Chilli powder
• Black pepper
• Paprika
• Red pepper flakes
• Crushed red pepper
• Ras el hanout

Other Ingredients

• Chicken broth
• Tomato paste
• Honey
• Flour
• Salt
• Couscous or rice, for serving

How to prepare the slow cooker

Preparing your slow cooker for a tagine is a simple process, but it's important to follow the correct steps to ensure your dish turns out perfectly. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to prepare your slow cooker for a delicious tagine:

• Preheat your slow cooker: Start by preheating your slow cooker on a high setting. This is an important step as it helps to create the right environment for your dish to cook evenly and effectively.
• Prepare the ingredients: While the slow cooker is preheating, use this time to prepare all your ingredients as per your chosen recipe. This may include chopping vegetables, measuring spices, and cutting meat into chunks.
• Combine ingredients: Once everything is ready, it's time to combine your ingredients in the slow cooker. Typically, you'll start by placing the meat (such as lamb or chicken) at the bottom of the slow cooker. Then, you'll add in your vegetables, spices, and liquids. Make sure to layer the ingredients as per the recipe instructions for the best results.
• Mix and season: After adding all the ingredients, give them a good mix to ensure they are well combined. This helps to distribute the spices and liquids evenly throughout the dish. Don't forget to season with salt and pepper, or any other seasonings your recipe calls for.
• Cover and set the timer: Once you're happy with the mixture, it's time to cover the slow cooker with its lid. Set the timer according to your recipe instructions, which will vary depending on whether you're cooking on a high or low setting.
• Check and stir: Depending on the recipe and your slow cooker, you may need to give the tagine a stir halfway through the cooking process to ensure even cooking. Check your manufacturer's instructions and the recipe guidelines for the best results.
• Serve with couscous: Finally, when your tagine is cooked to perfection, serve it with some fluffy couscous. You can also add some fresh herbs, nuts, or a dollop of yoghurt to take it to the next level.

Remember to refer to your specific recipe for ingredient quantities and any unique preparation steps. With these simple steps, your slow cooker will be ready to create a delicious and hearty tagine.

How to cook the tagine

How to Cook a Tagine in a Slow Cooker

Ingredients

• Olive oil
• Meat (chicken or lamb)
• Vegetables (onions, carrots, sweet potatoes, eggplants, etc.)
• Spices (paprika, cumin, cinnamon, ginger, garlic, etc.)
• Liquid stock
• Dried fruit (apricots, prunes, cranberries, etc.)
• Tomato paste or diced tomatoes
• Fresh herbs (coriander, parsley, mint, etc.)
• Couscous
• Optional: nuts (almonds, pistachios), yoghurt, lemon

Method

• Prepare the meat: Heat some olive oil in a skillet or frying pan. Toss the meat in flour to coat, then fry in batches until browned. Transfer to the slow cooker.
• Sauté the vegetables and spices: In the same pan, cook the onions and other vegetables, stirring until softened. Add the spices and garlic, cooking until fragrant.
• Combine and cook: Pour the vegetable mixture over the meat in the slow cooker. Add the liquid stock, dried fruit, and tinned tomatoes. Stir to combine. Set the slow cooker to low and leave to cook for 6-10 hours, depending on the recipe and your slow cooker settings.
• Prepare couscous: While the tagine is cooking, prepare couscous by adding lemon juice, spices, and boiling water. Cover and leave for 10 minutes, then fluff with a fork.
• Serve: When the tagine is ready, stir through fresh herbs and serve with the couscous. Top with nuts, yoghurt, and a squeeze of lemon, if desired.

Note: Always check the manufacturer's instructions before using your slow cooker, and adjust cooking times and settings according to your specific model.

How to serve the tagine

When your tagine is ready, it's time to serve it. Here are some ideas on how to do that:

First, prepare a bed of couscous. Couscous is a typical choice to serve with tagine, and you can make it more interesting by adding some flavourings to it. For example, you could add lemon zest and juice, ground cumin, smoked paprika, onion, peppers, and cherry tomatoes. You can also add some fresh herbs like mint or coriander. If you want to bulk it up, you could add some almonds or currants.

Next, place a generous scoop of your tagine on top of the couscous. You can add a dollop of yoghurt on top of the tagine for some creaminess and a scattering of fresh herbs like coriander or mint.

If you want to serve your tagine with something other than couscous, you could try cauliflower rice for a low-carb option or lemon wedges and chopped nuts like pistachios or almonds.

Frequently asked questions