Lamb, Shallot and Date Tagine

Transport your tastebuds to a Moroccan souk with this meltingly tender lamb tagine packed with shallots and dates.

Ingredients:

• 1.5kg/3¼lb leg of lamb, cubed
• 2 tsp ground coriander seeds
• 2 tsp ground ginger
• pinch saffron
• 2 tbsp olive oill
• 18 shallots whole, peeled
• 4 garlic cloves, crushed
• 1 tbsp plain flour
• 1 tbsp tomato purée
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 600ml/1 pint lamb stock
• 2 tbsp flatleaf parsley, chopped
• 2 tbsp coriander, chopped
• 1 preserved lemon, rinsed, inner pulp removed
• 110g/4oz medjool dates, pits removed or dates which are available
• 1 tbsp clear honey

Method:

1. Place the lamb in a bowl and add the ground coriander, ground ginger, saffron and one tablespoon of the olive oil. Mix well and leave to marinate in the fridge, covered, for 24 hours.
2. The next day, heat the remaining olive oil in a heavy-based pan with a lid. Cook the lamb until browned all over (you may need to do this in batches). Remove the lamb from the pan and set aside.
3. Fry the shallots in the same pan until lightly golden then add the garlic and return the lamb to the pan.
4. Stir in the plain flour and add the tomato purée and cinnamon stick.
5. Stir in the lamb stock and bring to the boil. Cover tightly and simmer gently for 1½ hours, or until the lamb is tender.
6. Add the parsley, coriander, lemon rind, dates and honey, stir well to combine and serve with a bowl of cous cous.

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