UAE Lamb and Apricot Tagine
A fragrant and tender lamb tagine, slow-cooked with sweet apricots, warming spices, and a hint of rosewater, reflecting the rich flavors of Emirati cuisine.
🧂 Ingredients
- 1.5 kg Lamb shoulder(cut into 2-inch cubes)
- 2 large Onions(finely chopped)
- 4 cloves Garlic(minced)
- 1 tablespoon Ginger(freshly grated)
- 200 g Dried apricots(halved)
- 400 g Canned chopped tomatoes
- 500 ml Chicken or lamb broth
- 2 tablespoons Honey
- 2 teaspoons Ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon Ground coriander
- 1 teaspoon Turmeric
- 1 Cinnamon stick
- 0.5 teaspoon Saffron threads(soaked in 2 tbsp warm water)
- 1 teaspoon Rosewater
- 2 tablespoons Olive oil
- to taste Salt
- to taste Black pepper
- for garnish Fresh cilantro(chopped)
- for garnish Toasted almonds(flaked)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Preheat oven to 160°C (320°F).
💡 Tip: Ensures even cooking for tender lamb. - 2
Heat olive oil in a large oven-safe pot or tagine over medium-high heat. Brown the lamb cubes in batches, then set aside.
- 3
Add chopped onions to the pot and sauté until softened and lightly golden.
💡 Tip: Low and slow cooking of onions develops sweetness. - 4
Stir in minced garlic and grated ginger, cooking for another minute until fragrant.
- 5
Return the lamb to the pot. Add chopped tomatoes, chicken or lamb broth, honey, cumin, coriander, turmeric, and the cinnamon stick. Season with salt and pepper.
- 6
Bring the mixture to a simmer, then cover the pot tightly with a lid or foil.
- 7
Transfer the pot to the preheated oven and cook for 2 hours, or until the lamb is very tender.
- 8
Stir in the halved dried apricots and the soaked saffron with its water. Continue to cook for another 30 minutes, uncovered, to allow the sauce to thicken slightly and the apricots to soften.
- 9
Remove the cinnamon stick. Stir in the rosewater just before serving.
- 10
Garnish with fresh chopped cilantro and toasted flaked almonds. Serve hot with couscous or rice.
💡 Tip: Toasted almonds add a delightful crunch.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓For a richer flavor, use lamb broth instead of chicken broth.
- ✓Adjust the amount of honey to your preferred sweetness.
- ✓If you don't have a tagine, a heavy-bottomed Dutch oven or casserole dish with a tight-fitting lid works well.
🔄 Variations
- Add a handful of pitted dates along with the apricots for extra sweetness.
- Include a pinch of ground cardamom for a more complex spice profile.
- For a touch of heat, add a small dried chili pepper during the slow cooking process.