PASSOVER-INSPIRED BRAISED LAMB WITH DRIED FRUIT

Passover-Inspired Braised Lamb With Dried Fruit image

This is a play on tsimmes, a traditional Jewish casserole. The flavors of North Africa and the Middle East are utilized for this lamb shoulder. Braising the meat in red wine yields a tender cut of meat without a lot of work.

Provided by Mark Bittman And Sam Sifton

Categories dinner, main course

Time 3h

Yield At least 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 13

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Ingredients

1 lamb shoulder, boned, about 4 pounds
Kosher salt and pepper to taste
1 large onion, peeled
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1 tablespoon minced ginger, or 1 teaspoon dried
1 cinnamon stick
1 tablespoon ground cumin
2 tablespoons ground coriander
10 allspice berries or a pinch of ground allspice
1/2 to 3/4 bottle not-too-soft red wine
3/4 cup pitted prunes
3/4 cup pitted apricots
Chopped parsley or cilantro for garnish

Steps:

Season the meat with salt and pepper and put it in a pot that will fit it snugly and can later be covered. Add the spices and a 1/2 bottle of wine. Bring to a boil, lower the heat to a slow bubble, and cover. Cook about an hour, then add onion, garlic, ginger and dried fruit, and check to make sure the liquid isn't evaporating too quickly; turn and continue to cook. Add the remaining red wine if the mixture looks dry, but essentially cook this without fuss.
When the meat is very tender - after about 2 1/2 hours - uncover. Check and adjust the seasoning as necessary, garnish and serve.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 595, UnsaturatedFat 19 grams, Carbohydrate 19 grams, Fat 39 grams, Fiber 3 grams, Protein 31 grams, SaturatedFat 17 grams, Sodium 797 milligrams, Sugar 9 grams