North African Meatless Stew Recipes

MAKE-AHEAD VEGETARIAN MOROCCAN STEW

Steps:

• Combine cinnamon, cumin, salt, ginger, cloves, nutmeg, turmeric, and curry powder in a large bowl.
• Melt butter in a large pot over medium heat. Cook the onion in the butter until soft and just beginning to brown, 5 to 10 minutes. Stir in kale and spice mixture; cook until kale begins to wilt and spices are fragrant, about 2 minutes.
• Pour the vegetable broth into the pot. Stir garbanzo beans, tomatoes, potatoes, sweet potatoes, carrots, lentils, apricots, and honey, into the broth; bring to boil, reduce heat to low, and simmer until vegetables and lentils are cooked and tender, about 30 minutes. Season stew with black pepper.
• Dissolve cornstarch in water; stir into stew and simmer thickened, about 5 minutes.

NORTH AFRICAN LAMB STEW

Steps:

• Heat the olive oil in a large casserole over a medium flame. Add the lamb chunks in batches and brown well on all sides. Remove and set aside while you finish the remaining lamb. After all the lamb has been browned return it to the pot. Combine the coriander, cumin, turmeric and cardamom in a bowl and sprinkle the lamb with the spice mix. Brown the spice coated meat over low heat being careful not to burn the spices. Season with the salt and pepper.
• Add the vegetable to the pot and stir to combine well. Add the water and bring quickly to a boil. Reduce the heat and cook for 1 1/2 hours or until the lamb is fork tender.
• Combine the fresh herbs in a bowl with the red pepper, lemon juice and tomato. Adjust the seasoning and set aside.
• Cook the couscous according to package directions.
• Remove the stew from heat and stir in the fresh herbs and tomato. Serve over couscous.

WEST AFRICAN GOAT MEAT STEW

Steps:

• Combine the goat meat with 1/2 cup of the onions and 1 teaspoon salt in a medium pot. Add enough water to cover the meat. Cover with the lid and cook over medium heat, until tender, 45 to 50 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the goat meat to a medium bowl. Reserve the broth.
• Meanwhile, combine the tomatoes, garlic, bell pepper, habanero, if using, and 1 cup of the remaining onions in a blender or food processor; blend until smooth and set aside.
• Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil in a large high-sided skillet over medium-high heat. Using the slotted spoon, transfer the goat meat to the skillet and cook until browned all over, about 3 minutes per side. Remove the goat meat to the same bowl.
• Add the remaining 4 tablespoons oil to the same skillet and heat over medium heat. Add the remaining 1/2 cup onions and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 1 minute. Add the tomato paste and stir until grainy in appearance in the oil, about 5 minutes. Add the tomato-pepper puree and stir to combine. Cover and simmer for 5 minutes. Add the bouillon powder, curry powder, thyme, bay leaves and 1/2 teaspoon salt; stir to combine and cook for 3 minutes. Add the goat meat and 2 tablespoons of the reserved broth (save the rest for another use); stir to combine. Cover and simmer over low heat until a layer of oil appears on the surface and the stew is thickened and bright reddish in color, about 10 minutes. Taste and add more salt, if needed. Serve with rice and/or sweet plantains.

AFRICAN VEGETABLE STEW

Steps:

• Melt margarine over medium heat in a large saucepan; add onion, parsley, garlic, cinnamon, turmeric, pepper and ginger; stir occasionally until onion is tender - add some water if it begins to stick.
• Stir in water, carrot and lentils; boil, then reduce heat and cover to simmer 25 minutes.
• Stir in rice, and undrained tomatoes; boil, then reduce heat and cover to simmer for 20 minutes.
• Stir in peas, beans and salt and pepper to taste; boil, then reduce heat and cover to simmer 5 minutes or till tender.
• If desired, serve with a dollop of yogurt or sour cream - 1 serving = 275 cal, 3g fat, 56g carb, 10g fibre, 12 g pro.

NORTH AFRICAN BEEF-AND-CARROT STEW WITH MINT

Steps:

• Season sirloin with salt and pepper. Heat a large, wide shallow pan over medium-high heat. Swirl in 1 tablespoon oil, add steak in a single layer, and cook, turning a few times, until browned and medium-rare, about 5 minutes. Transfer to a plate.
• Add remaining 1 tablespoon oil to pan and cook vegetables, stirring occasionally, until onion is golden in places, about 5 minutes. Stir in tomato paste and cook 1 minute. Add spices and cook until fragrant, 15 seconds. Add broth; bring to a simmer. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer until carrots are crisp-tender, about 10 minutes. Return sirloin and any accumulated juices to pan; cook until warmed through, about 1 minute. Remove from heat. Season with salt and pepper; sprinkle with mint. Serve over couscous.