Moroccan Jewish Tanzeya Recipes

LAMB SHANKS WITH CARAMELIZED ONIONS

Steps:

• Sprinkle lamb shanks with salt to taste; if using kosher lamb, less salt will be needed. In a large, wide casserole with a lid, heat oil over medium-high heat until shimmering. Working in batches, brown lamb shanks on all sides. Transfer lamb to a plate and set aside.
• Add onions to pan and sauté until they begin to soften, about 3 minutes. Add 1 cup of water and 1 teaspoon salt. Cover, reduce heat to low and simmer until onions are very soft, about 30 minutes. Meanwhile, heat oven to 275 degrees.
• Mix saffron with 1/4 cup water and add to pan. Stir to mix well, 2 to 3 minutes. Add lamb to the onions and mix well. Cover and transfer to oven. Bake until lamb is very tender, about 2 hours.
• Stir 1 cup of the tanzeya into onions. Return pan to the oven and bake, covered, until mixture is reheated, about 15 minutes. Garnish with toasted almonds and serve by itself or over couscous.

ORANGE-DATE-WALNUT PASSOVER CAKE

Steps:

• Make a sugar syrup by stirring 1 1/2 cups of sugar into 1 1/2 cups of water in a heavy saucepan. Bring to a boil, then lower heat and simmer, uncovered, for 40 minutes, or until syrup is reduced to 1/3 of its original volume. Meanwhile, heat oven to 350 degrees and grease a 9-by-13-inch cake pan.
• Coarsely grate rind of oranges. Then juice oranges, reserving juice and peel, and discarding any pith that remains. Combine reserved juice with enough prepared orange juice to make 2 cups.
• In a bowl, beat eggs with remaining 1 1/2 cups sugar. Add orange juice and oil, and continue mixing. Stir in salt, matzo meal, walnuts, dates and orange peel. Turn into greased pan and bake for 45 minutes or until golden. Cut into 2-inch diamonds in pan.
• Stir liqueur into sugar syrup and pour over hot cake. Let sit a few hours before serving.