Beef Tagine Using Prune Juice And Couscous Recipes

BEEF TAGINE (USING PRUNE JUICE) AND COUSCOUS

Steps:

• Mix together ginger, cinnamon, allspice and cloves and rub into beef.
• Cook onion and garlic in oil in a heavy-based casserole or saucepan until soft, add beef and cook for 2-3 minutes until beef is browned.
• Add lemon rind and juice, honey, prune juice, harissa and salt and bring to boil, Simmer gently until meat is tender (1 1/2-2 hours).
• Check tenderness at 2 hours.
• Prepare couscous when meat is nigh on cooked.
• Boil 2 1/2 cups water, pour into a large bowl with couscous and let it stand for about 10 minutes until all water is absorbed.
• Heat oil in a frying pan and fry onion until soft.
• Add remaining ingredients, stir well and cook for 2-3 minutes.
• Add onion to couscous and mix well.
• Cover with foil to keep warm until meat is cooked.
• Create a ring of couscous on each plate and spoon beef into the middle.
• Garnish with the fresh cilantro leaves (coriander).

BEEF TAGINE

Steps:

• Serving suggestion: Lightly seasoned couscous.
• To make the spice rub: Mix the ras el hanout, cumin, cinnamon, ginger, paprika, salt, and black pepper together in a small bowl. Put the beef into a large bowl, massage it with the spice rub, then cover with plastic wrap or clingfilm and put into the refrigerator for a couple of hours-ideally overnight. That way the spices really penetrate and flavour the meat. When you're ready to cook, heat a generous lug of olive oil in a tagine or casserole-type pan and fry the meat over a medium heat for 5 minutes. Add the chopped onion and coriander (cilantro) stalks and fry for another 5 minutes. Tip in the chickpeas and tomatoes, then pour in 1 3/4 cups/400 ml stock and stir. Bring to the boil, then put the lid on the pan or cover with foil and reduce to a simmer for 1 1/2 hours. At this point add your squash, the prunes and the rest of the stock. Give everything a gentle stir, then pop the lid back on the pan and continue cooking for another 1 1/2 hours. Keep an eye on it and add a splash of water if it looks too dry. Once the time is up, take the lid off and check the consistency. If it seems a bit too runny, simmer for 5 to 10 minutes more with the lid off. The beef should be really tender and flaking apart now, so have a taste and season with a pinch or 2 of salt. Scatter the coriander (cilantro) leaves over the tagine along with the toasted almonds, then take it straight to the table with a big bowl of lightly seasoned couscous and dive in.

BEEF AND PRUNE TAGINE

Steps:

• Put the butter and oil in a large saucepan.
• When the butter is melted, put in the spices, coriander and onion.
• Let fry for 30 seconds, then add the beef and stir well to coat.
• Cover the meat with a cup of water and the saffron mixture.
• The water should be just over halfway up the meat.
• Bring to the boil and then lower to a gentle simmer.
• Add half the prunes and cook for 1-1/2 hours until the meat becomes tender and juicy.
• Keep the pot mostly covered during this time -- the only time I lift the cover is for a few seconds if the heat builds too much and it starts to boil. You need to keep this dish at a very low simmer.
• Add remaining prunes along with the honey, salt and pepper.
• Simmer for another 30 minutes or until the meat is tender and the liquid has thickened and reduced.
• Serve with the sesame seeds and almonds on top.