Description
Tender slow cooked lamb simmered with warm spices and sweet dates in a rich aromatic sauce. This comforting Middle Eastern inspired dish delivers the perfect balance of savory depth and natural sweetness, ideal for serving over rice or couscous.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 pounds lamb shoulder or stewing lamb, cut into chunks
- 2 medium onions, sliced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup pitted dates, whole
- 2 cups chicken or beef broth, warm
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Place a heavy bottomed pot over medium heat.
- Add olive oil and brown the lamb pieces in batches until golden on all sides. Remove and set aside.
- In the same pot, add sliced onions and cook until soft and lightly golden. Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute.
- Return the lamb to the pot and stir in ground cumin, ground cinnamon, ground coriander, paprika, salt, and black pepper until well coated.
- Pour in warm broth and bring to a gentle simmer. Cover and cook on low heat for 60 to 75 minutes until the lamb is tender.
- Add the pitted dates during the last 20 minutes of cooking.
- Taste and adjust seasoning if needed, sprinkle with fresh parsley, and serve warm.
Notes
- Brown the lamb well to build deep flavor.
- Keep the simmer gentle to ensure tender meat.
- This dish tastes even better the next day.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 620mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 105mg