BEST TAGINE RECIPE RECIPES

1. Mix all the spice rub ingredients together in a small bowl with a good pinch of sea salt and black pepper.
2. Put the beef into a large bowl, massage it with the spice rub, then cover with clingfilm and place in the fridge for a couple of hours, preferably overnight.
3. When you’re ready to cook, peel and finely chop the onion, and pick the coriander leaves, finely chopping the stalks.
4. Heat a generous lug of oil in a tagine or casserole pan over a medium heat, add the meat and fry for 5 minutes to seal. Add the onion and coriander stalks and fry for a further 5 minutes.
5. Drain and tip in the chickpeas, followed by the tomatoes, breaking them up with a spoon, then pour in 400ml of stock and stir well. Bring to the boil, then cover and reduce to a low heat for 1½ hours.
6. Meanwhile, deseed and chop the squash into 5cm chunks, then destone and roughly tear the prunes. Toast the almonds in a dry frying pan until lightly golden, then tip into a bowl.
7. When the time's up, add the squash, prunes and remaining stock. Give everything a gentle stir, then pop the lid back on and continue cooking for another 1½ hours. Keep an eye on it, adding splashes of water, if needed.
8. At this stage, remove the lid and check the consistency. If it seems a bit too runny, simmer for 5 to 10 minutes, more with the lid off – the beef should be really tender and flaking apart now, so have a taste and season to taste.
9. Scatter the coriander leaves over the tagine along with the toasted almonds. Serve with a big bowl of lightly seasoned couscous and dive in.

Into a heated heavy bottomed casserole pan, spray the oil, add the drumsticks to brown all over

After a few mins, add the tagine paste, continue to colour the chicken. Remove drumsticks from the pan

In the same pan, fry the onion, carrots and peppers for around 5 mins. Add the garlic, ginger, spices, and a splash of water to stop the spices burning. Cook for 5 mins

Add the tomato puree, honey, tinned tomatoes & apricots, stir well. Return the chicken to the pan, along with 400mls of the stock, reduce the heat to low, cover and cook until tender and the meat is falling away from the bone, approx 30 mins. Add the olives, and chickpeas and cook for a further 5 mins

To prepare the cous cous, add it to a heatproof bowl, pour over the last of the remaining stock and cover with cling film – leave for 5 mins then give it a mix then cover for another 5 minutes

Garnish with the fresh herbs and a squeeze of lemon and flaked almonds