Prep time:

Cooking time: 3 hours

Total time:

Serves: 5

750g lamb, cut into cubes

3 2 red onions, sliced

2 large garlic cloves, crushed

1tbsp dried cinnamon

2tsp sweet paprika

2tsp ground cumin

2tsp ground ginger

1 tin of chopped tomatoes

few strands of saffron, soaked in a tbsp warm water

15g fresh coriander (half a bunch), stems roughly chopped

1 tin of chickpeas, drained

toasted almonds and pomegranate seeds to decorate (optional)

75g each of dried dates and dried apricots, roughly chopped 

This is the perfect recipe for entertaining, batch cooking or freezing ahead for Christmas. It’s best made a day or two before, or you can cook low and slow in the morning. This is lovely served with my giant cous cous and roast squash salad (see next page).

  1. Heat some olive oil in a large casserole pan and gently fry the onions until soft. Add the spices and cook for a further couple of minutes.
  2. Heat some olive oil in a frying pan and brown the lamb. Add the onions, alongside the tomatoes, saffron in water and coriander stalks. Bring to a simmer and cook gently for 2-3 hours. You may need to add more water if on a hob, or in the oven, but be cautious with the liquid if using a slow cooker.
  3. Add the chickpeas and dried fruit 30 mins before the cooking has finished. Taste and season more if needed.

To serve: sprinkle with toasted flaked almonds, pomegranate seeds and scatter over the coriander leaves. You could perhaps drizzle over some yoghurt, too. 

You may also like

Savoury gingerbread & local Camembert (Winnie’s Wheel)

To make this canapé you can use shop-bought gingerbread, but I prefer something a bit more savoury.

Parma ham basket with labneh, truffle or herb oil & Jerusalem artichoke crisp

A complex canapé with multiple elements, but the wow factor lies in the surprisingly simple-to-make basket.

Chilli beef, mozzarella & chilli jam bruschetta

A super easy canapé that can be elevated with homemade bread and chutney or simplified using shop-bought ingredients. The flexibility makes it ideal for both casual gatherings and more polished events.