AZERBAIJANI-STYLE LAMB WITH APRICOTS & CHESTNUTS

Azerbaijani-style lamb with apricots & chestnuts image

Make this lamb stew ahead and freeze for busy days, or for when you're entertaining. With apricots, chestnuts and spices, it's beautifully aromatic

Provided by Diana Henry

Time 2h5m

Number Of Ingredients 14

Ingredients

pinch of saffron
2 tbsp sunflower or groundnut oil
800g braising lamb (such as shoulder), trimmed of excess fat
2 large onions, roughly chopped
4 plum tomatoes, roughly chopped
2 garlic cloves, chopped
½ tsp ground cinnamon
½ tsp allspice
250ml lamb or chicken stock
100g dried apricots
125g cooked chestnuts (canned or vacuum-packed)
½ lemon, juiced
½ tsp sumac
15g coriander, leaves picked and roughly chopped

Steps:

Put the saffron in a heatproof cup and pour over 75ml boiling water. Leave for 30 mins, or until the water is a deep yellow colour.
Heat the oil in a heavy-bottomed saucepan, and brown the lamb all over - you'll need to do this in batches. Transfer the browned lamb to a bowl using a slotted spoon as you continue cooking the rest.
Fry the onions in the residual fat in the pan over a medium-low heat for 10-12 mins until golden and soft. Add the tomatoes and garlic, and continue to fry until the tomatoes have softened. Stir in the spices and cook for a few minutes, then return the lamb to the pan with some seasoning. Pour in the stock and infused saffron water. Bring to just under the boil, then add the apricots, chestnuts, and a little more seasoning. Reduce the heat to a simmer, cover and cook over a very low heat for 1 hr-1 hr 15 mins until the lamb is tender. At this stage, the lamb can be frozen. Leave to cool completely first, then transfer to a freezer proof airtight container. Will keep in the freezer for up to three months.
To serve straightaway, stir in the lemon juice, sumac and coriander. Alternatively, if you have frozen the lamb, defrost in the fridge overnight, then transfer to a saucepan and heat gently. When it is piping hot, add the lemon juice, sumac and coriander. Taste to check for seasoning, then serve.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 568 calories, Fat 28 grams fat, SaturatedFat 10 grams saturated fat, Carbohydrate 38 grams carbohydrates, Sugar 20 grams sugar, Fiber 7 grams fiber, Protein 44 grams protein, Sodium 0.5 milligram of sodium