lamb tagine recipe, by request

Of all the tagine recipes I've played with over the years, this may be my favorite. Please remember that, as usual, all measurements are approximate 'cause I just don't Do Precise when I cook.


* 2 pounds lamb, cut into bite-sized cubes
* 2 teaspoons paprika (I used 1 sweet, 1 hot)
* 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
* 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
* 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
* 1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom
* 1 teaspoon kosher salt
* 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
* 1 pinch saffron
* 3/4 teaspoon ground coriander
* 2 medium onions, chopped
* 5 carrots, minced
* 5 cloves garlic, minced
* 1 tablespoon freshly grated ginger
* 1 lemon, zested
* 6 dried plums, quartered
* 15 oz chicken broth
* 1 tablespoon tomato paste
* 1 tablespoon honey
* 1 tablespoon cornstarch (or arrowroot)
* 1 tablespoon water

1. Place diced lamb in a bowl, toss with 2 tablespoons of olive oil, and set aside. In a large resealable bag, mix the paprika, cumin, pepper, cinnamon, cloves, cardamom, salt, ginger, saffron, garlic powder, and coriander. Add the lamb to the bag, and shake to coat well. Refrigerate 6-8 hours.
2. Brown the lamb in a heavy pot, and remove to a plate. Add onions and carrots to the pot and cook for 3-5 minutes. Stir in the fresh garlic and ginger; continue cooking for an additional 3-5 minutes. Return the lamb to the pot and stir in the lemon zest, dried plums, chicken broth, tomato paste, and honey. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 1 1/2 to 2 hours, stirring occasionally, until the meat is tender.
3. You will probably want to thicken the tagine with a mixture of cornstarch and water during the last 5 minutes. Make sure you grab the cornstarch!

I served it with rice and lemon-garlic string beans. There were leftovers, which I tossed together and reheated for lunch -- excellent! So much so, in fact, that I think I may add the string beans in directly, during the last 5 minutes of cooking, next time.

not liveblogging

One thing I learned listening* to the debate. McCain's voice bugs the hell out of me. I don't know why. Does anyone else find his voice grating? Can anyone pinpoint what it is? [EtA: yes, it's the whistling essss noise. If he is elected, I will be hearing fingers scratching on chalkboards for 4 years (or however long he lives). I might as well give up and go mad now.]

So far, I don't think anyone who was in one camp will be swayed to another. I give Obama more points for debunking McCain's claims [especially on corporate taxes on paper vs loopholes, and taxing health care benefits] but he's not following through. McCain's only debating misstep was trying to speak down to Obama (the "strategy vs tactics' bit) because dude, your opponent can take you to the mat on using the big words properly, and you sound condescending as hell, not presidential.

(oh man, he did it again "I don't think Senator Obama understands..." Duuude. That is so not a good tactic.)


In other news of more local concern: "State officials announced an ambitious plan on Friday to replace the Tappan Zee Bridge with a new bridge with room for commuter trains and high-speed bus lanes. The price tag for a new bridge and expanded rail and bus lines: $16 billion." And there was much cheering from the Tri-State drivers. I used to shiver every time I drove over that damn thing, thinking that this would be the day it collapsed....


*I've actually got it on audio stream via the New York Times, while I work. Yay for multitasking!