Aromatic Lamb with Dates Recipe

Introduction

This aromatic lamb with dates is a deliciously spiced dish that combines tender lamb, sweet potatoes, and the natural sweetness of dates. It’s perfect for a comforting meal with a touch of Middle Eastern flair.

Ingredients

• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 500g diced boneless lean lamb, preferably from the leg
• 300g sweet potatoes, cut into small chunks
• 2 tsp ground coriander
• 2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1 tbsp tomato purée
• 50g pitted dates
• 2 tbsp coriander, roughly chopped

Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat the olive oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add the finely chopped onion and diced lamb, frying quickly until the lamb is lightly browned on all sides.
2. Step 2: Add the sweet potatoes, ground coriander, and ground cinnamon to the pan. Mix everything well to coat the ingredients with the spices.
3. Step 3: Pour in 425ml of boiling water and stir in the tomato purée. Bring the mixture to a boil.
4. Step 4: Cover the pan and reduce the heat to a simmer. Cook for 15 minutes or until the sweet potatoes and lamb are tender, then add the pitted dates.
5. Step 5: Continue cooking for another 10 minutes to soften the dates and blend flavors.
6. Step 6: Remove from heat and sprinkle with roughly chopped coriander. Serve immediately, ideally with couscous.

Tips & Variations

• Use lamb leg for quicker cooking times; avoid tougher cuts like shoulder or neck unless cooking longer.
• For added depth, try adding a pinch of smoked paprika or a handful of toasted almonds for crunch.
• If you prefer a saucier dish, add an extra 100ml of water and simmer a little longer.

Storage

Store any leftover lamb in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave, adding a splash of water if needed to loosen the sauce.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use a different cut of lamb?

Yes, but keep in mind that tougher cuts like shoulder or neck require longer cooking times to become tender. Adjust the simmering time accordingly.

What can I serve with this dish?

Couscous is a perfect pairing for this aromatic lamb, but you could also serve it with rice, flatbread, or a simple green salad for a complete meal.

Aromatic Lamb with Dates Recipe

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★★★★★

4.7 from 67 reviews

• Author: Hailey
• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x

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Description

This Aromatic Lamb with Dates recipe combines tender lamb leg with the sweet flavors of dates and spices like coriander and cinnamon, creating a warm, flavorful dish perfect for a comforting meal. The dish is cooked on the stovetop, allowing the lamb and sweet potatoes to simmer gently in a spiced tomato base, resulting in a rich and fragrant stew served traditionally with couscous.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients

• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 500g diced boneless lean lamb, preferably from the leg
• 300g sweet potatoes, cut into small chunks
• 2 tsp ground coriander
• 2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1 tbsp tomato purée
• 50g pitted dates
• 2 tbsp coriander, roughly chopped (for garnish)
• 425ml boiling water

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Instructions

1. Heat oil and brown lamb: Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add the finely chopped onion and diced lamb leg, then quickly fry until the lamb is lightly browned on all sides to seal in the juices.
2. Add sweet potatoes and spices: Stir in the chopped sweet potatoes along with 2 teaspoons each of ground coriander and ground cinnamon. Mix well to evenly coat the ingredients with the spices.
3. Add liquids and tomato purée: Pour in 425ml of boiling water and stir in 1 tablespoon of tomato purée. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat.
4. Simmer: Cover the pan and reduce the heat to low. Let the lamb and sweet potatoes simmer gently for 15 minutes, allowing flavors to meld and the ingredients to tenderize.
5. Add dates and continue cooking: After 5 minutes of simmering, add the 50g of pitted dates to the pan. Continue cooking for the remaining 10 minutes covered, until the sweet potatoes and lamb are tender and the sauce has thickened slightly.
6. Garnish and serve: Sprinkle the roughly chopped coriander over the dish before serving. Serve hot, traditionally accompanied by couscous for a complete meal.

Notes

• Lamb leg cooks faster than tougher cuts like shoulder or neck, so stick to cooking times to prevent overcooking.
• Using boiling water helps maintain the cooking temperature and speeds up the simmering process.
• For a richer flavor, you can marinate the lamb in spices and a little olive oil for 30 minutes beforehand if time allows.
• Dates add a natural sweetness that balances the spices, but you can adjust the quantity or substitute with dried apricots if desired.
• This dish pairs wonderfully with couscous, rice, or crusty bread for soaking up the delicious sauce.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: Middle Eastern

Keywords: lamb recipe, aromatic lamb, lamb with dates, Middle Eastern lamb stew, spiced lamb, lamb and sweet potatoes, easy lamb dish