Tagine of lamb & merguez sausages

authentic chemoula john's global kitchen lamb piece leg of lamb mains masterchef moroccan casserole north africa over 800 kcal over an hour pottery dish stew

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Ingredients

1 tbsp each ground cumin, paprika and turmeric

1 tsp hot chilli powder

2 large red onions , roughly chopped

3 garlic cloves

thumb-sized piece ginger , roughly chopped

200ml/ 7fl oz olive oil

200ml/ 7fl oz lemon juice (about 4 lemons)

1 tbsp honey

large handful flat-leaf parsley , roughly chopped

large handful coriander , roughly chopped

6 lamb shanks or a 1kg/2lb 4oz piece lamb or mutton shoulder (if using shoulder ask the butcher to cut it into 10cm chunks on the bone)

4 tbsp olive oil

2 carrots , sliced

2 red onions , sliced

12 dried prunes

1 tbsp honey

juice ½ lemon

8 merguez sausages (optional)

2 preserved lemons , homemade (see recipe below) or bought, pulp scooped out, rinsed and finely sliced

2 mint sprigs, to serve

harissa , to serve (see recipe below)

Method

For the marinade, roast the spices in a dry pan for a couple mins until fragrant. Put remaining marinade ingredients in a blender and process to a smooth paste, then add the roast spices and blend again to combine. Place the lamb in a large bowl and pour over the marinade. Leave in the paste overnight, or for at least 2 hrs to absorb all the flavours.

Heat oven to 160C/140C fan/gas 3. In a large roasting tin, big enough to fit the meat in one single layer, heat the oil and place over a high heat on the hob. Remove the meat from the marinade, wiping off and reserving any excess, then brown shanks on all sides in the hot oil.

Add remaining marinade to the dish along with the carrots, onions and prunes, then pour in 1 litre water. Cover the dish tightly with foil and cook in a low oven for 3½-4 hrs until the meat is tender and falling away from the bone. Add the honey, lemon juice and seasoning and keep warm.

If using, fry the sausages until cooked through, then add to the tagine. Serve the meat in a large bowl with the sauce spooned over, then scatter with the preserved lemons and mint, and serve the harissa on the side.