Inspired by the slow-cooking method of a Moroccan tagine, this is a fantastic traditional melt-in-the-mouth lamb slowly simmered in numerous spices with dried apricots, this has authentic Moroccan flavours and it perfect with the additional of preserved lemon in the couscous.
FOR THE MOROCCAN HOTPOT:
2 tbsp olive oil
1kg lamb shoulder, chopped into large chunks
¼ tsp dried chilli flakes
2 tsp ground black pepper
1 tbsp paprika
1 tbsp ground ginger
1 tbsp turmeric
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1 large onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, crushed
400ml tomato juice
1 400g tin of chopped tomatoes
75g dried apricots
50g dates
30g sultanas or raisins
50g flaked almonds
A pinch of saffron stamens
500ml/1 pint lamb stock
1 tbsp clear honey
1 tbsp coriander, roughly chopped
1 tbsp parsley, roughly chopped
FOR THE PRESERVED LEMON COUSCOUS:
75ml olive oil
225g couscous
300ml chicken stock
The peel from 1 preserved lemon, finely chopped
INSTRUCTIONS
FOR THE MOROCCAN HOTPOT: Fry the onion in a frying pan in 1 tbsp of oil. In a heavy based pot, brown the lamb chunks (you may need to do this in batches).
Once the onion is soft, add half of it to the lamb, then add all the other hotpot ingredients, except the fresh coriander and parsley. Bring to the boil, then simmer until the lamb is tender; for roughly 2-3 hours.
FOR THE PRESERVED LEMON COUSCOUS: Meanwhile, add the 75ml olive oil to the remaining onions left in the frying pan. Once the onions have browned (be careful not to burn them), add the couscous and fry for 1 minute.
Add the chopped preserved lemon peel and chicken stock and bring to the boil.
Cover the pan and turn off. After 15 minutes, the couscous should have absorbed all of the liquid, ready to be fluffed up with a fork and served with the lamb.