Entree: Morocco – Maghreb – طاجين لحم الضأن بالمشمش والفستق مع أرز بسمتي ➤ Tajin laḥm al-ḍan bil-mishmish wal-fustuq maʿ aruzz basmati (Lamb stew with apricots and pistachios over basmati rice)

Serving Size: 4

Approximate Time

Prep 20 min

Cook 1 hr 20 min

Additional 15 min

Total 1 hr 30 min

Ingredients

- 1 1/2 lb (680 g) boneless lamb shoulder, cut into 1-inch (2.5 cm) cubes
- 2 cups (360 g) basmati rice, rinsed
- 3 cups (720 ml) beef or lamb stock
- 3/4 cup (105 g) dried apricots, halved
- 1/2 cup (60 g) shelled pistachios, toasted and chopped
- 1 large onion, chopped (about 1 1/2 cups / 150 g)
- 3 cloves garlic, minced (about 1 tbsp / 9 g)
- 2 tbsp (30 ml) olive oil
- 1 tbsp (15 g) tomato paste
- 1 tsp (2 g) ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp (2 g) ground cumin
- 1 tsp (2 g) ground ginger
- 1/2 tsp (2 g) ground turmeric
- 1/4 tsp (1 g) cayenne pepper (optional)
- 1 tbsp (15 ml) honey
- 1 tsp (6 g) kosher salt, plus more to taste
- 1/2 tsp (2 g) black pepper
- 1 tbsp (15 ml) lemon juice
- 2 tbsp (8 g) chopped fresh cilantro for garnish

Instructions

1. Heat 2 tbsp (30 ml) olive oil in a heavy pot over medium-high heat. Season lamb cubes with 1 tsp (6 g) salt and 1/2 tsp (2 g) pepper; brown in batches until well seared, about 4–5 minutes per batch. Remove lamb and set aside.
2. Reduce heat to medium, add chopped onion and cook until soft, 8–10 minutes. Add garlic and tomato paste; cook 1–2 minutes to develop flavor.
3. Stir in cinnamon, cumin, ginger, turmeric, and cayenne and toast 30 seconds. Return lamb to pot, add stock, bring to a simmer, cover and cook gently 1 to 1 1/4 hours until lamb is tender.
4. Add dried apricots and honey in the last 15 minutes of cooking; adjust seasoning with salt and lemon juice. If sauce is too thin, simmer uncovered to thicken slightly.
5. While stew finishes, cook basmati rice: bring 3 cups (720 ml) water to a boil, add rinsed rice and 1/2 tsp (3 g) salt, reduce heat, cover and simmer 12–15 minutes until tender. Fluff with a fork.
6. Serve lamb stew over basmati rice, sprinkle toasted pistachios and chopped cilantro on top.