LAMB TAGINE WITH PRUNES, APRICOTS, AND VEGETABLES

Lamb Tagine with Prunes, Apricots, and Vegetables image

Yield Makes 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 16

2 lb (1-inch-thick) lamb shoulder chops
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 large onion, chopped
1 1/2 cups water
1 pinch saffron threads, crumbled
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1 1/2 large carrots, cut into 1/4-inch-thick rounds
1 small sweet potato, peeled and cut into 3/4-inch pieces
3/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1/8 teaspoon cinnamon
2/3 cup pitted prunes
1/2 cup dried apricots (preferably Turkish)
1 medium yellow squash, cut into 3/4-inch pieces
2 teaspoons honey (optional)
Freshly grated nutmeg

Steps:

Cut lamb from bones, reserving bones, then cut meat into 1-inch pieces.
Heat 1/2 tablespoon oil in a flameproof wide shallow casserole with a tight-fitting lid over moderately high heat until hot but not smoking. Brown meat on all sides in 2 batches, transferring to a plate as browned. Brown bones and transfer to plate.
Add remaining 1/2 tablespoon oil to tagine and cook onion, stirring, until softened. Return meat and bones to pot.
Stir in water, saffron, salt, and pepper and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer mixture, covered, stirring occasionally, until lamb is tender, about 1 1/4 hours.
Transfer lamb to a clean plate and add any meat from lamb bones, discarding bones.
Add carrots and sweet potato to pot, then simmer, covered, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are barely tender, about 10 minutes.
Add ginger, cinnamon, prunes, apricots, and squash, then simmer, covered, stirring occasionally, until vegetables and fruits are tender, about 5 minutes.
Return lamb to stew and add honey. Season with salt, pepper, and nutmeg and simmer, uncovered, stirring occasionally, 5 minutes.