US
beef
1
beef tagine
© David Loftus

beef tagine

servings
4-6
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method


I like to think of a tagine as a sort of stew with attitude. It’s really all about the spices and the slow cooking, giving all the wonderful flavors time to develop. What’s great is that you don’t need an authentic Moroccan tagine in order to recreate this beautiful food – a saucepan will still give you great results. Having been to Marrakesh and learnt all the principles, I now feel I'll be able to rustle up an endless variety of tagines at home. Give this one a try and you’ll see what I mean.

Mix all the spice rub ingredients together in a small bowl. Put the beef into a large bowl, massage it with the spice rub, then cover with cling film and put into the fridge for a couple of hours – ideally overnight - that way the spices really penetrate and flavor 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 your chopped onion and coriander stalks and fry for another 5 minutes. Tip in the chickpeas and tomatoes, then pour in 400ml of stock and stir. Bring to the boil, then put the lid on the pan or cover with foil and reduce to a simmer for 1½hours.

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 1½ 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 two of salt. Scatter the coriander 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.

*Ras el hanout (Arabic for "top of the shop") is a blend of the best spices a vendor has in his shop. The mixture varies depending on who is selling it, but can be a combination of anywhere from 10 to 100 spices. It usually includes nutmeg, cinnamon, mace, aniseed, turmeric, cayenne, peppercorns, dried galangal, ginger, cloves, cardamom, chilli, allspice and orris root.


• from Jamie does...

ingredients


• 600g stewing beef
• olive oil
• 1 onion, peeled and
finely chopped
• a small bunch of
fresh coriander
• 1 x 400g tin of
chickpeas, drained
• 1 x 400g tin of
chopped tomatoes
• 800ml vegetable stock,
preferably organic
• 1 small squash
(approximately 800g),
deseeded and cut into
5cm chunks
• 100g prunes, stoned
and roughly torn
• 2 tablespoons flaked
almonds, toasted
For the spice rub
• sea salt and freshly ground
black pepper
• 1 level tablespoon
ras el hanout spice mix*
• 1 level tablespoon
ground cumin
• 1 level tablespoon
ground cinnamon
• 1 level tablespoon
ground ginger
• 1 level tablespoon
sweet paprika

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tried this recipe or a similar one? share your tips...
1. by Lio on Fri 10 Feb 2012 @ 15:37

Reading all of the comments above I realized that on a chef level( some people seems to be professional) this recipe might lack some ingredients. From my personal point of view thanks to this recipe I created something amazing in my own kitchen!.Very tasty, fragrant dish, I loved it! Thank you for sharing!

2. by Richard on Tue 31 Jan 2012 @ 11:15

As a chick pea disliker i substitute with cranberries and cashews!!<br /> <br /> <br /> Try this for a veggi version, someone asked b4<br /> http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/146608/pumpkin-cranberry-and-red-onion-tagine

3. by ElaineBruce on Sun 22 Jan 2012 @ 18:55

I have made this dish twice now and its really tasty and simple to make.

4. by Annastacia on Tue 03 Jan 2012 @ 17:47

Mr. Oliver, If you were to make this recipe vegetarian, what would you suggest? I love the spice combination, produce selection and chick peas with the slow cooking, not sure what to substitute for the beef though.

5. by Asmaa on Thu 22 Dec 2011 @ 07:41

I made this and I absolutely loved it. I am moroccan but I still find Jamie's recipies much simpler and easier than the original Moroccan recipe. I couldn't believe that was me who made that meal when I tasted it. Loved it! Thank you soooooooo much<br />

6. by Gary on Sun 13 Nov 2011 @ 11:22

Fortunately, only three of my six expected dinner guests turned up, so i am taking the remains to work for the next few days. Result! By the way, it's tablespoons!

7. by lee on Mon 07 Nov 2011 @ 00:06

Tried this beef tagine on saturday,copied the recipie exactly & it turned out really tasty,the whole family loved it.<br /> will definatly be making this again.<br /> well done jamie

8. by dreaminginflowers on Wed 26 Oct 2011 @ 09:26

Tried this for dinner last night, it didn't dissapoint at all, it was nice. Made my own ras el hanout (my version: roasted cumin, corriander seeds, cloves, nutmeg, paprika, allspice, ginger, turmeric, cinnamon, pepper medley, garam masala) rub 2 tablespoon of this mix with the meat, and after browning the meat I add teaspoon of each paprika, cinnamon and ginger to the pan (hubby and daughter doesn't like strong spices). It was mild but very nice. I don't think this dish meant to be very spicy (read: medicinal almost) but I suppose if you want the spices to come out more, you can add additional spices you fancy in the last half an hour or so into the cooking. If you don't have a tagine, you can use deep sautee pan or flat bottomed wok and use upturned big stainless steel bowl on top. A bit difficult to open, but it produces similar result with a tagine.

9. by dreaminginflowers on Wed 26 Oct 2011 @ 09:10

Made this for dinner last night and it did not dissapoint at all, it was nice. Made my own ras el hanout (my version: roasted cumin, coriander seeds, cloves, cinnamon, paprika, cayenne, pepper medley, allspice, nutmeg, turmeric, garam masala, dry ginger) and mix 2 tablespoon of these with the meat. After browning the meat I only add teaspoon of each cinnamon, paprika and ginger because hubby and daughter doesn't like strong spices. It was mild, but very nice. I don't think this dish meant to be very spicy (read: medicinal almost) because the method of cooking in tagine somewhat mellows the flavor quite a bit, but if you like the spices to come out more, you can add additional spices you fancy in the last half an hour or so of cooking time. And if you don't have a tagine, don't fret, you can use deep sautee pan or flat bottomed wok and put upturned big stainless steel bowl on the top. Bit difficult to open (use pointy knives and tongs), but it will produce similar result with tagine.

10. by Kouthar on Thu 06 Oct 2011 @ 06:49

Hi Jamie, I introduced my family to Moroccan cuisine, and I tried this beef tagine which tasted fantastic. We're not used to fruit in stews, and my family was a bit skeptical but they absolutely loved it. Your recipes are not difficult, and your style of cooking makes people fall inlove with cooking. Keep up the great work. Thank You!!!

11. by Kouthar on Thu 06 Oct 2011 @ 06:44

Hi Jamie, I introduced my family to Moroccan cuisine, especially this beef tagine and they absolutely loved it! We're not used to fruit in stews, my family were a bit skeptical at first, but the prunes just work beautifully. Your recipes are not complicated, it certainly makes people fall inlove with cooking! Thank you! Keep up the great work!

12. by Jenny B on Fri 23 Sep 2011 @ 10:25

Does Jamie really mean TABLESPOONS of the spices?? Should it not be teaspoons?

13. by Anniemai on Wed 03 Aug 2011 @ 16:58

Loved it - Just follow the recipe!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! A++ <br /> My husband who will never eat chickpeas or the like loved it aswell

14. by Tess on Thu 28 Jul 2011 @ 01:59

I made this and it was wonderful...I followed it to the letter and I made my own ras el hanout as an experienced cook ...I prefer to making my own mixes. I also do catering so this will be one of the items I will be offering up for my hosts. Those who didn't like it might try it again. You might have missed something.<br />

15. by Deirdre on Tue 26 Jul 2011 @ 23:52

I made this dish twice in the past few days following the recipe in the book (teaspoons instead of tablespoons of spice). It is very tasty and is definitely a dish I will make again. I didn't have ras el hanout but I used a teaspoon of chili and turmeric instead. I did not add the extra stock with the squash as it was not needed. Everyone who tasted it loved this dish.

16. by Davuba on Thu 21 Jul 2011 @ 01:18

So whats the general consensus - is it tablespoons or teaspoons?<br /> Also, I dont have a casserole dish, or a heavy bottomed pan, can I just use a big stock pot?<br /> Any tips for what veggies to serve with this? Thanks guys!

17. by Foodie on Mon 18 Jul 2011 @ 12:52

Well I tried this recipe last night, (using the full tablespoon of spices) and I have to say, I agree with Bridget - disappointing – flavors were pretty dull and tasteless – about the only thing that came through was the coriander. I served it with small bowls of preserved lemons and Harissa sauce to add to taste, and these turned out to the meals one saving grace adding some flavor to a dish that lacked either the fragrance or warmth I would expect from traditional Moroccan food. In its defense the beef was wonderfully tender (but then it should be after 3 hours cook). If I was to do this recipe again I think I would use cumin seeds, fresh ginger and normal paprika (to add a bit of warmth). <br /> Sorry Jamie - But personally I would recommend a recipe from the The Moro Cookbook or one by Claudia Roden instead. <br />

18. by Foodie on Sat 16 Jul 2011 @ 16:27

I Think This should be teaspoons of spices and not tablespoons - sounds like a alwful lot of spices.

19. by roz on Sat 16 Jul 2011 @ 07:31

cooked this for dinner party of 12 in winter - filled the house with wonderful warm aroma and the taste was superb - absolutely wonderful thank you <br /> <br />

20. by Emily on Sun 10 Jul 2011 @ 09:25

Absolutely beautiful! Rich in flavour, a sure meal to impress. Jaime never fails<br />

21. by marisa on Mon 04 Jul 2011 @ 04:46

Unlike Bridget! I myself have been to Morocco and think this recipe has the most beautiful flavors and is very simple to make. Thank you for the recipe and keep up the great work :)

22. by bridget on Sun 19 Jun 2011 @ 21:40

I followed this recipe to the last gram. It is dull ... tasteless ... Jamie call yourself a chef /cook... huh !!!<br /> I have been to Morocco. This is nothing like an authentic recipe ... IT may be it is your version.... in my eyes it is a TOTAL FAILURE... AN INSULT TO MOROCCANS !!!!! and a waste of good ingredients. HOW DARE YOU !!!!

23. by Kate on Sun 19 Jun 2011 @ 19:55

You can buy ras el hanout from Tesco in the 'world foods' section.

24. by mae on Fri 10 Jun 2011 @ 17:01

if ras el hanout spice mix is not readily available do i have to substitute it with something else?

25. by me on Sun 22 May 2011 @ 14:43

'What happens to the remaining 400ml of stock liquid? '<br /> <br /> As Jamie says, you add it halfway through the cooking time.

26. by sickboy2000 on Tue 17 May 2011 @ 20:32

What happens to the remaining 400ml of stock liquid?

27. by MattieB on Wed 11 May 2011 @ 15:41

Tried this recipe exactly but only mainated the beef for a day. <br /> I didn't find the rub to strong at all! If anything I wish I'd let it marinate a day more. <br /> I'm makng this again on friday for a casual dinner party.<br /> <br /> So good!

28. by Vargis on Wed 23 Mar 2011 @ 11:17

On this page, the spice rub items are a tablespoon each.<br /> <br /> Jamie did the recipe on his show, but he used a teaspoon instead of a tablespoon. Check it out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cwclmFuFfFE (jump to 5 min 40 sec within the video). <br /> <br /> Has anyone done the recipe as listed on this page (using tablespoon measures for the spices)? How did it turn out? Was it too strong?<br /> <br />

29. by Survivor on Wed 01 Sep 2010 @ 17:51

Guys... Is this something you can do the night before..? Really want to try it for a special dinner but don't want to spend much time in the kitchen on the night if I can help it. Cheers! x

30. by MarcusKoumis on Fri 30 Jul 2010 @ 02:18

Tried this and it was outstanding, one of my favourites. However instead of beef and prunes I used; Lamb and Apricots. I also spooned in a tablespoon of clear honey, right near the end for extra depth and sweetness.

31. by foodislikelove on Thu 15 Jul 2010 @ 14:23

i made this for a special night for my boyfriend and I and can i just say thank you. I was literally blown away with how good it was!!!

I made it again a couple of weeks ago for my family and they loved it! It was SO AMAZINGLY TASTY!! but also v filling but just so perfect well done jamie, another GREAT!!!

I am now about to make it again for my nan's Birthday as a surprise dish, I know everyone will love it!
mwah

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