Description
This Aromatic Lamb with Dates recipe features tender diced lamb cooked with warm spices, sweet potatoes, and sweet dates, resulting in a comforting and flavorful dish. The subtle cinnamon and coriander give the stew a fragrant depth, complemented by the natural sweetness of dates, making it an ideal meal served with fluffy couscous.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 500g diced boneless lean lamb, preferably from the leg
- 300g sweet potatoes, cut into small chunks
- 2 tsp ground coriander
- 2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tbsp tomato purée
- 50g pitted dates
- 2 tbsp coriander, roughly chopped
- 425ml boiling water
Instructions
- Heat the oil and brown lamb and onion: Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Add the finely chopped onion and diced lamb, frying quickly until the lamb is lightly browned on all sides and the onion is softened.
- Add sweet potatoes and spices: Stir in 300g of sweet potato chunks along with 2 teaspoons each of ground coriander and ground cinnamon to the browned lamb and onions, mixing well to coat everything with the spices.
- Add liquid and tomato purée, then simmer: Pour in 425ml of boiling water and add 1 tablespoon of tomato purée. Stir to combine, then bring the mixture to a boil.
- Simmer covered until tender: Cover the pan with a lid, reduce the heat to low, and simmer gently for 15 minutes until the lamb and sweet potatoes are tender and cooked through.
- Add dates and finish cooking: Add 50g of pitted dates to the stew during the last 10 minutes of cooking to soften and infuse their sweetness into the sauce.
- Garnish and serve: Sprinkle the finished stew with 2 tablespoons of roughly chopped fresh coriander and serve immediately with fluffy couscous for a complete meal.
Notes
- Use lamb leg for quicker cooking and tender results; avoid tougher cuts like shoulder or neck unless adjusting cooking time.
- Dates add a natural sweetness and should be added near the end to avoid overcooking.
- Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper to taste just before serving if desired.
- Serve with couscous or rice to soak up the flavorful sauce.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Keywords: lamb stew, aromatic lamb, lamb with dates, sweet potato lamb, spiced lamb recipe, Middle Eastern lamb dish
