Moroccan Style Lamb Turnovers Recipes

MOROCCAN LAMB TAGINE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F. Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a very large (12-to-13-inch) pot or Dutch oven, such as Le Creuset. Pat the lamb shanks dry with paper towels. In batches, add the lamb shanks to the pot and cook over medium heat for 3 minutes on each side, until they are nicely browned. Transfer to a plate and brown the remaining shanks, adding a little more oil, if necessary. Transfer all the shanks to the plate and set aside.
• Add the onions and cook over medium-low heat for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, adding more oil, if necessary. Add the garlic and ginger and cook for just 30 seconds. Add the chili powder, turmeric, cumin, cardamom and cinnamon and cook for one minute. Stir in the tomatoes and their liquid, the chicken stock, brown sugar, lime, 1 tablespoon salt and 1 teaspoon pepper. Add the potatoes, butternut squash and sweet potatoes and bring to a boil. Place the lamb shanks in the pot, spooning some of the sauce and vegetables over the shanks. (They will not be completely submerged.) Cover the pot and bake for 3 hours, until the lamb shanks are very tender. Serve hot with couscous.

L'HAM M'HAMMAR RECIPE - MOROCCAN ROASTED LAMB OR BEEF WITH ONION CONFIT

Steps:

• Combine the spice rub ingredients in a bowl or with pestle and mortar. Rub the mixture over the meat and massage it thoroughly. Cover and leave in the fridge for at least 6 hours or overnight.
• When ready to cook, transfer the meat to a heavy-bottomed, deep pot or pressure cooker. Add the sliced onions, saffron threads, water and oil. (Note: Use 1/3 cup water if preparing in a conventional pot and 1 cup water if preparing in a pressure cooker.)
• If cooking in a regular pot, cover and simmer the meat for about 2 hours or until tender, checking occasionally to add a little water if the liquids appear to be drying out. If cooking in a pressure cooker, cover and cook with medium-low pressure for about 80 minutes or until tender, swirling the pot occasionally to be sure that liquids remain and the meat and onions aren't burning. Interrupt to add a little more water only if necessary.
• The meat is cooked to proper tenderness when you can easily pinch it off the bone. When done, remove it from the pot and cover with plastic so it doesn't dry out.
• If you are serving this dish in the next hour, place the meat in a 400° F (200° C) preheated oven for about 20-25 min, turning it occasionally to brown it on all sides. Adjust the browning to your liking.
• In the meantime, continue cooking the onions, stirring frequently and taking care not to scorch them, until they have reduced to a paste-like texture. The cooking oil should be the oil liquid you see in the pot.
• To serve, place the meat in a warm dish and surround it by the onion paste (daghmira). Traditionally it is eaten by hand directly from the platter, using pieces of bread in lieu of a fork.

MOROCCAN-STYLE LAMB TURNOVERS

Steps:

• Mix together the cumin, ginger, turmeric, cinnamon, salt, and pepper in a small bowl. Set aside.
• Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Saute the onion until tender, about 2 minutes. Add the garlic and the spice mixture and continue to cook for another minute. Add the lamb and cook, breaking up any lumps with the back of a wooden spoon, until no longer pink, about 5 minutes. Add the wine and tomato paste and cook until most of the liquid has evaporated, about 4 minutes. Remove from the heat and add the raisins, pine nuts, and cilantro. Taste for seasoning. Let cool and set aside.
• In a small bowl, beat together the egg and cream with a fork. Set aside.
• Preheat the oven to 375ºF. Line 2 large baking sheets with parchment paper. Divide the puff pastry in half. Work with half of the dough at a time, while keeping the other half chilled. On a lightly floured surface, roll half of the dough into a 12-by-15-inch rectangle. Cut into twenty 3-inch squares. Place a scant tablespoon of the filling in the center of each square. Brush the edges lightly with the egg wash. Fold each pastry into a triangle, enclosing the filling, and crimp the edges with a fork. Cut a small steam vent in the top of each turnover. Brush the tops lightly with more egg wash. Set on the prepared baking sheets. Repeat with the remaining dough and filling.
• Bake the turnovers until golden brown, 15 to 20 minutes. Serve warm.
• Make ahead: These can be frozen in a single layer on a baking sheet until solid, transferred to a freezer bag, and stored in the freezer for 1 month. They can be baked right from the freezer, adding 3 to 4 minutes to the baking time.