This is one of those dishes that will make the whole house smell wonderful. Fork-tender lamb shank that falls apart, a warm and rich sauce, topped with candied plums and apricots that provide just the right sweet counterpoint. The Tajine meat with plum mix does the heavy lifting: all spices in one mix, perfectly balanced. Most of the time, the pot simmers gently, so you don't have to keep an eye on it. Perfect for a family dinner or when you're hosting guests and want to serve something impressive without spending all day in the kitchen.

⏱ Prep time: ±2h 45min
👥 Servings: 3
🌶 Difficulty: medium
🍽 Category: Tagine / Main course

Ingredients

For the meat

• 1 kg lamb shanks
• 35 g Tajine meat with plum mix
• 10 strands of Negin saffron
• 60 ml culinary olive oil
• 800 ml water

For the plums and apricots

• 250 g dried plums
• 150 g dried apricots
• 200 ml water
• 20 g sugar
• 3 g Ceylon cinnamon powder
• Dash of rosewater
• 15 g flower honey
• 40 g peeled almonds
• Handful of roasted sesame seeds

Instructions

1. Mix the olive oil with the Tajine meat with plum mix in a bowl.
2. Dissolve the saffron strands in a little warm water and stir into the oil-spice mixture.
3. Marinate the lamb shanks all over with the mixture. Let sit for at least 15 minutes.
4. Briefly sear the lamb shanks in a pot with a drizzle of olive oil, until browned on all sides.
5. Pour in 800 ml of water, cover, and let simmer gently for 2 to 3 hours until the meat is fork-tender. Remove the lid for the last half hour so the sauce thickens nicely.
6. Meanwhile, combine the plums, apricots, 200 ml water, sugar, Ceylon cinnamon, rosewater, and honey in a separate pot.
7. Simmer for 15 minutes over low heat, until the liquid has evaporated and the fruits are glossy. Stir regularly to prevent burning.
8. Roast the almonds for 5 minutes in a dry pan until golden brown and aromatic.
9. Arrange the lamb shanks on a platter, spoon the plum-apricot mixture over them, and finish with the roasted almonds and sesame seeds.

Chef's Tip

Want to make the dish extra festive for guests? Add stewed pears alongside the plums and apricots. Peel them, halve them, and simmer them briefly in the same sauce with cinnamon and honey. It adds a refined, luxurious touch that makes all the difference on the table.

Serving Suggestion

Serve with fresh Moroccan bread to soak up the sauce. A glass of fresh mint tea completes the meal.

Ready to cook yourself?

The base of this recipe is our Tajine meat with plum mix. Combine it with our Negin saffron, Ceylon cinnamon, roasted sesame seeds and our culinary olive oil and you'll have everything you need to put this dish on the table at home.

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Enjoy your meal!
— Moroccan Spicy Secrets