Ras El Hanout Marinated Lamb Recipes

RAS EL HANOUT MARINATED LAMB SHAWARMA WITH RED PEPPER-WALNUT TAHINI SAUCE

Steps:

• For the ras el hanout marinade and lamb: Combine the canola oil, vinegar, cardamom, coriander, ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, cloves, saffron, garlic, onions, 1 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon pepper and 1/4 cup water in a blender and blend until smooth.
• Place the lamb in a dish large enough to hold the lamb and the marinade. Pour the marinade over and turn to coat. Cover and let marinate in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours and up to 24 hours.
• For the red pepper-walnut tahini sauce: Combine the walnuts, tahini, yogurt, vinegar, cumin, cayenne, bell peppers and some salt and pepper in a food processor and process until smooth.
• Remove the lamb from the refrigerator 30 minutes before grilling, and let sit at room temperature.
• Heat a charcoal grill for indirect heat.
• Remove the lamb from the marinade and pat dry. Sprinkle on both sides with salt and pepper. Grill until charred on both sides and cooked to medium (140 degrees F on an instant-read thermometer), about 30 minutes. Remove from the grill and let rest for 15 minutes.
• Slice into paper-thin slices across the grain. Place several slices of the meat in each pita and drizzle with the red pepper sauce.

RAS EL HANOUT STEWED LAMB

Steps:

• Add oil to a large heavy saucepan and fry the onions and garlic until browned but not burned; remove from pan and set aside.
• Add lamb to the same pan, frying until well browned.
• Add onion and garlic mixture back to the same pan.
• Add ras el hanout and salt and pepper; mix well to coat everything.
• Add the stock, bring to the boil, then reduce heat to an even simmer.
• Cook 1 1/2 hours, stirring occasionally.
• Add honey, and continue to cook an additional 30 minutes, until the lamb is tender and the sauce has thickened.
• Serve with rice, and scatter the almond slivers over the lamb.

SLOW ROAST RAS EL HANOUT LAMB & COUSCOUS

Steps:

• Using a pestle and mortar or a mini chopper, mash or chop the garlic with a generous pinch of salt, then add the lemon juice, ras el hanout spice mix and olive oil, then pound or chop to a rough paste. Use a small knife to make small incisions all over the lamb. Sit the lamb in a large, shallow casserole dish or deep roasting tin, then rub the paste all over the lamb and into the cuts. Leave at room temperature for 1 hr, or better still cover and chill overnight.
• When ready to cook, heat the oven to 160C/140C fan/gas 3. Scatter the onion wedges around the lamb, then cover the dish with a lid or tightly with foil and roast for 3 hrs. Remove from the oven and uncover. Stir the onions and baste the lamb in the juices, then turn the oven up to 180C/160C fan/gas 4 and continue to roast the lamb, uncovered, for 25-30 mins until browned.
• Lift the lamb and onions onto a board to rest and put the kettle on. Stir the couscous and raisins into the lamb dish so they're coated in the roasting juices. Pour over enough boiling water from the kettle to just cover the couscous, then cover the dish and leave for 5 mins. Uncover and fluff the couscous up with a wooden spoon, then stir through the chickpeas, chopped herbs and preserved lemon or lemon juice, and season to taste. Bring the lamb, onions and the couscous to the table to serve.