Feastpedia

Agneau aux épices, meaning "Spiced Lamb," is a dish that beautifully showcases the historical culinary exchange between France and its North African influences. While not a classical haute cuisine dish, this fragrant stew blends tender lamb with a warming medley of aromatic spices and dried fruits, resulting in a comforting and hearty meal often served with couscous or rice, representing a vibrant facet of French-inspired home cooking.

Ingredients

  • 1.5 lbs Lamb shoulder, boneless, cubed
  • 2 tbsp Olive oil
  • 2 medium Onions, chopped
  • 4 cloves Garlic, minced
  • 1.5 tsp Ground cumin
  • 1.5 tsp Ground coriander
  • 1 tsp Sweet paprika
  • 0.5 tsp Ground turmeric
  • 0.25 tsp Ground cinnamon
  • 14.5 oz Canned diced tomatoes
  • 2 cups Beef or chicken broth
  • 0.5 cup Dried apricots, halved
  • 1 tsp Salt
  • 0.5 tsp Black pepper
  • 0.25 cup Fresh cilantro or parsley, chopped

Instructions

  1. 1

    Pat the lamb cubes dry with paper towels and season generously with salt and black pepper.

  2. 2

    Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat. Brown the lamb in batches until seared on all sides, then remove and set aside.

  3. 3

    Reduce heat to medium, add the chopped onions to the pot, and cook until softened and translucent, about 5-7 minutes.

  4. 4

    Stir in the minced garlic, ground cumin, coriander, paprika, turmeric, and cinnamon. Cook for 1 minute more until fragrant, stirring constantly.

  5. 5

    Return the browned lamb to the pot. Add the diced tomatoes, beef or chicken broth, and dried apricots. Stir well to combine.

  6. 6

    Bring the mixture to a simmer, then reduce heat to low, cover, and cook for 1.5 to 2 hours, or until the lamb is very tender. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.

  7. 7

    Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed. If the sauce is too thin, uncover for the last 30 minutes to allow it to reduce slightly.

  8. 8

    Serve the Spiced Lamb hot, garnished with fresh chopped cilantro or parsley.

Chef's Tips

  • For an extra layer of flavor, marinate the lamb in a tablespoon of olive oil and half of the spices for at least 30 minutes (or up to overnight) before browning.
  • This dish is excellent served with couscous, fluffy white rice, or crusty French bread to soak up the rich, aromatic sauce.
  • Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days and often taste even better the next day as the flavors meld.

Recommended Equipment

As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

Reviews

Sign in to leave a review.

No reviews yet. Be the first!

Love this recipe? Get our cookbook!

Download our free cookbook with the top 20 most popular Feastpedia recipes.