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Savory Moroccan Lamb Tagine with Apricots and Almonds

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A flavorful and comforting Moroccan lamb tagine featuring tender lamb, sweet apricots, and crunchy toasted almonds simmered in a rich, spiced sauce. This easy recipe brings authentic North African flavors to your kitchen without a fuss.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 pounds lamb shoulder, cut into 2-inch cubes
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 large onion, finely chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)
  • 1/2 teaspoon turmeric
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth or water
  • 1 can (14 oz) crushed tomatoes
  • 1 cup dried apricots, chopped
  • 1/2 cup whole blanched almonds, toasted
  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • Fresh cilantro or parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Pat the lamb cubes dry with paper towels and season generously with salt and pepper.
  2. Heat olive oil in a Dutch oven or tagine over medium-high heat. Brown the lamb in batches, about 4 minutes per batch, then set aside.
  3. Lower heat to medium and sauté chopped onions until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 more minute.
  4. Add cumin, cinnamon, ginger, smoked paprika, and turmeric to the onions. Stir and toast spices for 1-2 minutes.
  5. Pour in crushed tomatoes and chicken broth, scraping browned bits from the pot. Return lamb to the pot and stir to combine.
  6. Bring to a gentle simmer, cover with a tight-fitting lid, reduce heat to low, and cook for 1.5 to 2 hours until lamb is tender.
  7. About 20 minutes before the end, stir in chopped dried apricots and honey.
  8. While the tagine finishes cooking, toast almonds in a dry skillet over medium heat until golden and fragrant, about 3-5 minutes.
  9. Taste and adjust salt and pepper. Serve the tagine topped with toasted almonds and chopped cilantro or parsley.

Notes

Use bone-in lamb shoulder for extra flavor if possible. For gluten-free, verify broth and spices have no additives. Apricots can be substituted with dried figs or dates. If sauce is too thin after cooking, simmer uncovered for 10-15 minutes to reduce. Adding a splash of fresh lemon juice or preserved lemon slices at the end brightens the dish. Slow cooker or Instant Pot adaptations are possible with adjusted cooking times.

Nutrition

Keywords: Moroccan lamb tagine, lamb recipe, apricots, almonds, North African cuisine, slow braised lamb, easy tagine recipe, savory tagine

Find it online: https://fizzlefork.com/savory-moroccan-lamb-tagine-with-apricots-and-almonds-easy-recipe-for-authentic-flavor/