Recipes from November 11, 2009

Weekly recipes for November 11, 2009

Moroccan Lamb Tagine

Paula Wolfert recommends a glazed earthenware or Flameware tagine, or a 10- or 11-inch Spanish cazuela with a cover. She also recommends using a heat diffuser for slow, steady cooking (especially if using an electric or ceramic stove top). The flour tortillas are a substitute for Moroccan flatbread. Cubeb pepper can be ordered online.

Preparation time: 3 hours and 45 minutes

2 1/2 pounds bone-in lamb shoulder arm chops, thick
3 tablespoons golden raisins
1/2 cup hot water, plus warm water for rehydrating raisins
3 large red onions, 1 grated, and 2 thinly sliced, divided
2 teaspoons Moroccan spice mixture (see below)
1/4 teaspoon ground cubeb berries or cayenne
1/8 teaspoon saffron threads
1 3-inch Ceylon cinnamon stick, lightly crushed (often sold as Mexican cinnamon)
salt
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
3 tablespoons mild olive oil, divided
6 plum tomatoes, preferably Roma, peeled, quartered lengthwise and seeded
freshly ground black pepper
2 tablespoons turbinado sugar mixed with 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
6 flour tortillas
1 tablespoon chopped flat-leaf parsley

Trim any excess fat from the lamb. Cut the chops into 1 1/2-inch chunks with bones.

Soak the raisins in warm water for 15 minutes to rehydrate. Meanwhile, place the lamb, grated onion, Moroccan spice mixture, cubeb berries or cayenne, saffron, cinnamon stick, 1 teaspoon salt, butter and half the oil in the tagine. Place on a heat diffuser if possible, uncovered, over low heat until the aroma of the spices is released, about 10 minutes. Do not brown the meat. Add the 1/2 cup hot water and gently increase the heat to slowly bring to a boil.

Drain the raisins. Cover the meat mixture with the onion slices and raisins and spread the tomatoes, cut side down, on top. Cover the tagine, reduce the heat to low and cook until the lamb is tender, about 2 hours. When the lamb is almost ready, set an oven rack on the middle shelf of the oven. Heat oven to 350.

Remove the top of the tagine and tilt the pot to pour all the liquid into a medium conventional skillet. Skim the fat off the top of the liquid; then boil it down to 3/4 cup. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Spread the reduced juices over the tomatoes in the tagine. Remove and discard the cinnamon stick. Scatter the sugar and ground cinnamon on top. Place in the oven and bake, uncovered, for 45 minutes. Switch the oven heat to broil, dribble over the remaining oil, and cook until crusty and lightly charred, about 5 minutes. Serve at once or reheat gently over medium heat. Just before serving, warm the tortillas, tear them into large pieces, and spread the pieces of two tortillas over a large serving platter. Spoon about half the contents of the tagine on top. Repeat with another two tortillas and the remaining contents of the tagine. Top with the last of the tortilla pieces and a sprinkling of parsley. Serve immediately.

Each serving: 599 calories; 34 grams protein; 41 grams carbohydrate; 4 grams fiber; 33 grams fat; 12 grams saturated fat; 114 milligrams cholesterol; 13 grams sugar; 778 milligrams sodium. Serves 6.

Moroccan Spice Mixture

1 tablespoon ground ginger
1 tablespoon ground turmeric
1 tablespoon ground black pepper
2 teaspoons ground Ceylon or Mexican cinnamon
2 teaspoons ground cubeb berries (optional)
1 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg

Combine the ginger, turmeric, black pepper, cinnamon, cubeb berries and nutmeg and shake well to mix thoroughly. Store, tightly covered, for up to 6 months.