Malian Lamb and Date Stew
A rich and aromatic lamb stew, slow-cooked with a blend of warming spices and the natural sweetness of dates. This dish is often served with couscous.
🧂 Ingredients
- 1.5 kg Lamb shoulder(cut into 2-inch cubes)
- 3 tbsp Olive oil
- 2 medium Onions(1 chopped, 1 sliced)
- 4 cloves Garlic(minced)
- 3 medium Carrots(peeled and cut into chunks)
- 1 can (14.5 oz) Canned diced tomatoes(undrained)
- 0.5 cup Date puree(pitted dates blended with a little water)
- 1 tsp Cinnamon
- 1 tsp Cumin
- 0.5 tsp Fennel seeds
- 0.5 tsp Cardamom
- 0.5 tsp Ginger(ground)
- 0.5 tsp Black pepper(freshly ground)
- 0.25 tsp Cayenne pepper
- 0.25 tsp Nutmeg
- 4 cups Water or beef broth
- Salt(to taste)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Season lamb generously with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat. Brown the lamb in batches, about 3-4 minutes per side, then remove to a plate.
💡 Tip: Don't overcrowd the pot, as this will prevent proper browning. - 2
Add the chopped onion and carrots to the pot and sauté until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the minced garlic, cinnamon, cumin, fennel seeds, cardamom, ground ginger, black pepper, cayenne pepper, and nutmeg. Cook, stirring constantly, until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
- 3
Stir in the canned diced tomatoes with their juices and the date puree. Add water or beef broth, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot. Bring the mixture to a boil.
💡 Tip: The dates will add a natural sweetness and help thicken the sauce. - 4
Return the browned lamb to the pot. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 1 hour.
- 5
Add the sliced onion to the pot. Stir, cover, and continue to simmer for another 30-40 minutes, or until the lamb is tender and the sauce has thickened.
💡 Tip: The sauce should be thick enough to coat the back of a spoon. - 6
Adjust seasoning with salt to taste. Serve hot, traditionally with couscous.
💡 Tip: This stew can also be served with rice or a hearty bread.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓For a deeper flavor, you can marinate the lamb with some of the spices overnight.
- ✓If you don't have date puree, you can soak pitted dates in hot water for 15 minutes and then blend them.
- ✓This stew freezes well, making it a great make-ahead meal.
🔄 Variations
- Add other root vegetables like potatoes or sweet potatoes along with the carrots.
- For a spicier stew, add a pinch of chili flakes or a diced chili pepper with the other spices.