
Spiced Lamb (Agneau aux Épices)
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
Pat the lamb cubes dry with paper towels and season generously with salt and black pepper.
- 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
Reduce heat to medium, add the chopped onions to the pot, and cook until softened and translucent, about 5-7 minutes.
- 4
Stir in the minced garlic, ground cumin, coriander, paprika, turmeric, and cinnamon. Cook for 1 minute more until fragrant, stirring constantly.
- 5
Return the browned lamb to the pot. Add the diced tomatoes, beef or chicken broth, and dried apricots. Stir well to combine.
- 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
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
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.
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