Delicious Dishes To Create In Your Cast Iron Tagine

Staub's cast iron tagine is a unique piece of cookware inspired by the traditional tagine, a pot with a conical top and bottom used in North Africa and the Middle East. The tagine's distinctive shape creates a moist, hot environment, making it ideal for slow-cooking dishes. Staub's version features a cast iron base with a ceramic dome cover, combining functionality and style. With its wide, shallow base and snug-fitting lid, the Staub tagine is perfect for cooking classic Moroccan dishes or your favourite one-pot meals. Its black matte enamel interior and colourful exterior add flair to your kitchen and table. The Staub tagine is a versatile and durable piece of cookware that can be used on various heat sources and is oven-safe up to 500°F.

Moroccan chicken tagine

A Moroccan chicken tagine is a flavourful, healthy, and balanced dish. It is traditionally cooked in a clay pot, also called a tagine, which helps to slow cook the ingredients and intensify the flavours. However, you can also use a cast-iron Staub tagine or a regular cooking pan to make this dish.

Ingredients:

• 4-6 chicken thighs (bone-in and skin-on)
• 1/4 cup preserved lemon, natural and deseeded, cut into fine slices
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 1 tsp chopped parsley
• 1 tsp chopped coriander
• 1/4 cup red olives (optional)
• 1 clove of garlic, pressed
• 4 to 6 cups of water
• 1/2 tsp pepper powder
• 1/2 tsp turmeric powder
• 1 pinch of cinnamon powder
• 1/2 tsp salt (adjust according to your preference)

Instructions:

• Prepare your ingredients by chopping the vegetables and pressing the garlic.
• Place the heat diffuser on your stove and put your Staub cast-iron tagine on top. Ensure that everything is stable before you start cooking.
• In the tagine, add the chopped onion, oil, pressed garlic, spices, chicken thighs, and 1/2 cup of water. Mix until the chicken is entirely covered with the sauce.
• Cover your tagine and let everything gently boil for 10 minutes on low heat. Stir occasionally.
• Pour 3-4 cups of water or enough to cover the chicken with the sauce.
• Cover the tagine and cook on low to medium heat until the chicken is almost ready. This may take around 30-40 minutes, depending on the size of your chicken thighs. Check regularly and add water if the sauce evaporates.
• When the chicken is almost done, add frozen peas, sliced carrots, preserved lemons, and half the quantity of parsley and coriander. Cover again and cook until everything is tender, about 20-30 minutes. Check regularly and add water if needed.
• Once everything is well cooked, if there is too much sauce, uncover the tagine and let the sauce reduce for a few minutes. The sauce should be thick, not watery.
• To serve, gently place the chicken and vegetables in the centre of your plate and pour a little sauce on top.
• Garnish with marinated olives and fresh parsley and coriander.
• Serve hot or warm with fresh bread, couscous, or rice.

One-pot dishes

Staub's cast iron tagine is a great vessel for cooking one-pot dishes. Its wide and shallow base, coupled with a tall lid that fits snugly, creates a moist and hot environment for cooking. Here are some ideas for one-pot dishes you can make with your Staub cast iron tagine:

• Classic Moroccan Chicken Tagine: This dish is a perfect example of a one-pot meal that can be cooked in the tagine. You can layer meat and spices, allowing the condensation from the lid to create a moist and flavourful environment.
• Braised Dishes: The tagine is ideal for braising due to its cast iron construction and matte black enamel interior. You can braise meat, fish, or vegetables, taking advantage of the even heat distribution and retention.
• Stews: Whether it's a hearty beef stew or a vegetable-based option, the tagine is a great choice for one-pot stews. The lid helps to seal in moisture and flavour, resulting in a scrumptious and moist dish.
• Couscous and Vegetables: Create a delicious and healthy one-pot meal by cooking couscous and vegetables together in the tagine. The unique shape of the tagine will ensure that your ingredients stay moist and flavourful.
• Rice Dishes: Try cooking rice-based one-pot dishes such as pilafs or biryani in your Staub tagine. The cast iron construction will ensure even cooking, and the lid will help keep the rice moist and fluffy.

Braised dishes

• Moroccan Chicken Tagine: A traditional Moroccan dish where chicken pieces are braised with spices, garlic, onion, olives, and preserved lemons. You can use bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs or a whole cut-up chicken. The dish is usually served with couscous.
• Lamb Tagine: Try a lamb tagine with dried apricots, cinnamon, nutmeg, and almonds. You can use bone-in lamb stew meat or lamb neck, and braise it with spices like ras el hanout, cinnamon, turmeric, and black pepper. This dish is also often served with couscous or flatbread.
• Beef Tagine: Instead of lamb, you can use bone-in beef cuts such as shanks or short ribs. Beef tagine can be served with couscous, rice, or even mashed potatoes.
• Vegetable Tagine: If you're looking for a vegetarian option, you can braise vegetables like eggplant, zucchini, tomatoes, or winter squash in your tagine. You can also add chickpeas or other beans to make it more hearty.
• Fish Tagine: For a seafood option, you can cook fish or seafood in your tagine. Try a combination of fish, olives, and dried fruit, or experiment with your favorite seafood and spices.

Remember, the beauty of cooking in a tagine is that you can personalize the recipe to suit your tastes. Feel free to experiment with different ingredients and spices to create your own unique braised dishes!

Roasts

Staub's cast iron tagine is ideal for roasting meats, thanks to its even heat distribution and heat retention. The cast iron base can be used to sear meat before adding spices and vegetables and continuing to braise in the oven, covered with the ceramic lid.

The tagine's shape ensures that food remains moist during cooking. Its wide, shallow base and tall lid allow steam to rise into the cone, condense, and then trickle back down the sides and into the dish. This unique cooking environment is perfect for roasting meats, as it keeps them moist and intensifies flavours.

The cast iron tagine can also be used on all types of cookers, in the oven, and even on the grill, making it a versatile piece of cookware for roasting a variety of meats and other dishes.

Stews

The Staub cast iron tagine is a great option for cooking stews. Its unique design, inspired by traditional Moroccan tagines, creates a moist and hot environment that is perfect for slow-cooking stews to tender perfection. The wide and shallow base and tall, snug-fitting lid ensure that steam rises into the cone, condenses, and trickles back down into the dish, keeping your stew moist and flavourful.

The cast iron construction of the Staub tagine provides exceptional heat retention, distributing heat evenly throughout the dish. The black matte enamel interior also ensures that your food will brown beautifully without sticking. The heavy lid helps to retain moisture, and the tiny spikes on the interior create a "rainforest effect", evenly returning juices to your stew.

The Staub tagine is safe to use on all types of heat sources, including gas, electric, and induction stovetops, and is oven-safe up to 500°F. It is also dishwasher-safe, although hand washing is recommended for heavy use. With its colourful enamel exterior, the Staub tagine adds a touch of flair to your kitchen and table.

With a capacity of 1.5 quarts, the Staub tagine is perfect for cooking stews for a small group of people. Whether you're cooking a classic Moroccan chicken tagine or experimenting with a new recipe, the Staub tagine is a reliable and stylish tool that will help you create delicious, moist, and flavourful stews.

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