Lamb Tagine With Chickpeas and Apricots

Ingredients

• •¾ cup dried chickpeas
• •5 cloves garlic cloves
• •1 stick cinnamon stick
• •2 tablespoons olive oil
• •3 pounds lamb shoulder
• •to taste salt and pepper
• •1 large onion
• •5 teaspoons Ras-el-Hanout
• •1 tablespoon ginger
• •1 cup diced tomatoes
• •2½ cups chicken stock
• •½ cup dried apricots
• •to serve couscous
• •for garnish cilantro

Cooking Instructions

1. 1.

   Place chickpeas in a medium saucepan. Add water to cover by 2". Let soak overnight.

   720 min

2. 2.

   Drain chickpeas; return to same saucepan. Add 2 whole garlic cloves and cinnamon stick. Add water to cover by 2". Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium and simmer until chickpeas are tender, about 45 minutes. Drain; set aside.

   45 min

3. 3.

   Meanwhile, heat oil in a large heavy pot over medium-high heat. Season lamb with salt and pepper. Working in batches, brown lamb on all sides, about 4 minutes per batch. Transfer lamb to a medium bowl. Add onion to pot; reduce heat to medium, season with salt and pepper, and sauté until soft and beginning to turn golden, about 5 minutes. Add chopped garlic, Ras-el-Hanout , and ginger. Stir for 1 minute. Add tomatoes and lamb with any accumulated juices. Bring to a boil. Add 2 1/2 cups stock. Return to a boil, reduce heat to low, partially cover, and simmer, stirring occasionally, until lamb is tender, about 1 hour 30 minutes.

   90 min

4. 4.

   Stir in chickpeas; simmer until heated through, about 10 minutes. Stir in apricots; simmer until heated through, about 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.

   15 min

5. 5.

   Spoon couscous onto a large, shallow platter, forming a large well in center. Spoon tagine into center. Sprinkle cilantro over.

   5 min