Slightly adapted recipe from the new cookbook The Food of Morocco by Paula Wolfert.
Ingredients
500g1 lb fresh lamb shoulder, bone in, cut into 4 large chunks
Marinade:
2peeled garlic cloves
1teaspooncoriander seeds
1teaspooncumin seed
1large handful of fresh spearmintNana in Hebrew
1pinchof hot red pepper
1/2teaspooncoarse salt
For the tagine:
½cupdried chick peas
1medium red oniongrated, (about 1 cup)
Argan oil or extra virgin olive oil
2teaspoonsground ginger
1teaspoonMoroccan paprika or sweet paprika
Pinchof cayenne
Pinchof dried saffron soaked in 3 tablespoons water
Pinchof ground turmeric
2sprigs each of fresh rosemarythyme and oregano or 1 teaspoon Herbes de Provence
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1cuppeeledseeded and diced fresh or canned Roma tomatoes
1preserved lemonpulp removed, rinsed and drained
2cloves
1dozen sprigs of fresh cilantro
1dozen sprigs of fresh mint
680g1-½ lbs corn grits or polenta
500g1 lb carrots
500g1 lb purple topped turnips, swedes (rutabagas) or kohlrabi
500g1 lb small courgette
1butternut squash or pumpkin
2sweet red pepperscored, seeded, & quartered
1tablespoonharissa paste
1tablespoonolive oilbutter, or smen (ghee)
Fresh spearmint leaves for garnish
Instructions
One day in advance, marinate the meat in a crushed mixture of garlic, spices and salt. Soak the chickpeas overnight in plenty of water to cover.
The following day, drain the fresh chickpeas, cover with fresh, cold water, and cook, covered, for l hour. Drain, cool, and remove the skins by submerging the chickpeas in a bowl of cold water and gently rubbing them between the fingers. The skins will rise to the top of the water. Discard the skins and set the peeled chickpeas aside. (If using canned chick peas, peel them and set them aside.
Bring the meat to room temperature. Meanwhile, place the onion, 2 tablespoons oil, ginger, paprika, saffron water, turmeric and herbs in a 5 liter (5 quart) casserole set over medium heat. Cook, stirring from time to time, until the onion dissolves into a puree, about 10 minutes.
Add the meat and slowly brown on all sides. Meanwhile, stud the lemon with cloves, stuff it with the fresh herbs and tie together with a piece of string. Add it to the casserole along with the tomato and 8 cups water. Bring to a boil and reduce the heat to a simmer, cover and cook for 1 hour.
Add the chickpeas and cook for 1 more hour, or until the meat is fork tender and the bones are easily removed and discarded.
Meanwhile, follow my instructions for making the couscous here, but follow the measurements in this recipe.
In a wide bowl, toss the grits with 3 tablespoons argan oil or olive oil and then work in a 3/4 cup of cold water. Let rest and ten minutes later moisten with another 3/4 cup of water.
Add the corn grits to the couscoussière, cover and follow my instructions above.
Meanwhile, prepare the vegetables: peel the carrots and turnips and cut them into 1-1/2 inch lengths. Trim the zucchini ends, halve and cut into 4 centimeter ( 1-½ inch) strips. Peel and cut up the pumpkin in to large chunks.
Add the turnips and carrots to the casserole and cook, uncovered, for 20 minutes. Add the pumpkin, courgette and peppers, and continue cooking until all the vegetables are soft, about 25 minutes. Correct the seasoning with salt and pepper to taste. Take the casserole off the heat and remove the preserved lemon bundle before serving.
Dump the couscous onto the middle of a large, preferably round, serving dish and moisten it with 2 cups of the broth and olive oil or smen. Fluff the couscous with a fork and form a huge well in the center. With a perforated spoon, transfer the meat and vegetables into the well. Top with sprigs of fresh mint. Serve the remaining broth on the side.