Lamb Tagine with Green Olives and Lemon

5.0

(162)

2 Reviews

When making most stews, cooks typically brown the meat before braising it; here, Ethan Stowell skips that step, which simplifies the Moroccan recipe and gives the lamb a buttery, melt-in-the-mouth texture. The dish is vibrantly flavored with ginger, cumin, coriander, olives and lemon; the broth is delicious over couscous.

By

Ethan Stowell

Updated on October 11, 2019

Lamb Tagine with Green Olives and Lemon — Photo: © Kana Okada

Active Time:

35 mins

Total Time:

2 hrs 45 mins

Yield:

8

Cook Mode (Keep screen awake)

Ingredients

1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
5 garlic cloves, minced
Two 2 1/2-inch strips of lemon zest
2 teaspoons ground ginger
2 teaspoons sweet paprika
2 teaspoons ground coriander
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
Pinch of saffron threads, crumbled
One 3-inch cinnamon stick
Kosher salt
3 1/2 pounds boneless lamb shoulder, cut into 1-inch pieces
4 cups water
6 large carrots, thinly sliced
1 onion, cut into 1/4-inch dice
2 cups pitted green Picholine olives, rinsed
1 cup flat-leaf parsley, chopped
1 cup cilantro leaves, chopped
3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

Directions

In a large bowl, mix the olive oil, garlic, lemon zest, ginger, paprika, coriander, cumin, black pepper, cayenne, cloves, saffron, cinnamon stick and 1 tablespoon of kosher salt. Add the lamb and toss to coat. Refrigerate for 4 to 6 hours.
Scrape the lamb and spices into a tagine or a medium enameled cast-iron casserole; discard the lemon zest. Add the water, carrots and onion and bring to a simmer. Cover and cook over low heat until the lamb is very tender, about 2 hours.
Spoon off any fat from the broth. Stir in the olives, season with salt and cook for 2 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in the parsley, cilantro and lemon juice. Ladle into bowls and serve.

Serve With

Couscous.

Suggested Pairing

A smoky Syrah.

Originally appeared: October 2008

Lamb Tagine with Green Olives and Lemon

Ingredients

Directions

Serve With

Suggested Pairing

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