When it comes to Mediterranean cuisine, lamb is one of the most popular meats used in dishes. The richness and flavour of the meat, when cooked slowly, are unparalleled. If you’re looking for an authentic Mediterranean experience, here are some recipes that will transport you to the heart of the Mediterranean.
Slow Cooked Lamb Shank
Lamb shanks are an excellent choice for slow cooked lamb recipes. They are a flavorful and tender cut of meat that is perfect for braising. This dish is easy to prepare, and it is packed with flavour. To make slow-cooked lamb shank, you will need the following ingredients:
- Four lamb shanks
- One onion, chopped
- Four garlic cloves minced
- 1 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 cup red wine
- 2 cups beef or chicken stock
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- Salt and pepper
Preheat your oven to 325 degrees F. Heat the olive oil in a large oven-safe pot over medium-high heat. Follow that by seasoning the lamb shanks with salt and pepper. Brown them on all sides. Remove them from the pot and keep them aside for a while.
Add a combination of onion and garlic and cook until they are soft. Add the tomato paste and oregano and cook for another minute. Pour in the red wine and wait until it is boiling. Scrape the bottom of the pot to free any browned bits. Add the beef or chicken stock and lamb shanks, ensuring they are covered in the liquid.
Cover the pot and keep it in an oven. Bake for 2-3 hours or until the meat is tender and falling off the bone. Serve the lamb shanks with some crusty bread, mashed potatoes, or rice.
Slow Cooked Moroccan Lamb Tagine
Slow-cooked Moroccan lamb tagine is a delicious dish perfect for chilly evenings. This traditional Moroccan recipe is typically prepared in a cone-shaped clay pot called a tagine. Although chicken and beef can be used, lamb is the most popular choice.
To prepare this dish, you will need lamb shoulder, onion, garlic, ground ginger, cinnamon, cumin, paprika, coriander, cayenne pepper, diced tomatoes, chicken or beef stock, dried apricots, raisins, honey, salt, pepper, olive oil, and fresh cilantro or parsley (optional).
Begin by heating olive oil over medium-high heat. Then, season the lamb with salt and pepper and brown it on all sides. Once done, remove the lamb from the pot and set it aside. Next, add chopped onion and minced garlic to the pot and cook until softened. Then, add the ginger, cinnamon, cumin, paprika, coriander, and cayenne pepper and cook for an additional minute, stirring constantly. Add diced tomatoes and chicken or beef stock and allow them to boil.
Once the mixture is boiling, return the lamb to the pot and add chopped apricots, raisins, and honey. Stir to combine all the ingredients, then cover the pot while reducing the heat. Let it cook for 2-3 hours till the lamb falls off the bone. You can use fresh cilantro or parsley to garnish the dish and serve it with couscous or crusty bread.
To make slow-cooked Moroccan lamb tagine, you will need the following ingredients:
- 2 lbs lamb shoulder
- One onion, chopped
- Four garlic cloves minced
- 1 tsp ground ginger
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp ground coriander
- 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
- One can dice tomatoes
- 1 cup chicken or beef stock
- 1 cup dried apricots, chopped
- 1/2 cup raisins
- 1/4 cup honey
- Salt and pepper
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Fresh cilantro or parsley, chopped (optional)
Slowly cooked lamb dishes are a staple of Mediterranean cuisine. These dishes are full of flavour and are perfect for chilly evenings. Whether you want a Greek-style lamb kleftiko, a Moroccan lamb tagine, or a classic lamb shank, these lamb recipes will transport you to the heart of the Mediterranean. Try one of these recipes today and taste the tradition of slow-cooked lamb dishes.