SMALL LAMB RECIPES

Steps:

• 1. Preheat the oven to 190°C/375°F/gas 5.
  2. Pick and finely chop the rosemary leaves and peel and roughly chop the ginger, then add to a pestle and mortar with the cumin, coriander, fennel seeds and dried chillies. Add a pinch of sea salt and black pepper, then pound to a paste, stirring in a couple of tablespoons of oil.
  3. Pour half the marinade over the lamb, and massage well before you plait it, then put aside until needed.
  4. Peel and chop the sweet potatoes into 2.5cm chunks, peel and roughly chop the onions, and peel and finely slice the garlic, then mix with the remaining marinade.
  5. Heat a little oil in a large ovenproof pan or roasting tray over a medium-high heat, add the lamb and quickly brown on both sides, then remove to a plate.
  6. Add the sweet potato mixture to the pan and fry for around 4 minutes, or until the onions are slightly soft.
  7. Add the tomatoes, breaking them up with a spoon, then give the pan a shake and place the meat on top.
  8. Add 3 wineglasses of water, the cinnamon stick, bay leaves and dried apricots, and braise in the preheated oven for 1 hour 15 minutes (I suggest you do this with the lid off to give it a little colour.
  9. Cover the couscous with 300ml boiling water and leave to fluff up. Season with salt, pepper, a lug of oil and a swig of vinegar, cover with tin foil and place in the oven for 5 minutes to steam.
  10. Pick and roughly chop the coriander and scatter over the lamb before serving. Divide between plates with the couscous and spoon over a good dollop of natural yoghurt.

Steps:

• 1. In a small bowl, cover the saffron with 2 tablespoons of boiling water and leave to steep. Destone the prunes, place in a separate bowl and just cover with boiling water so the plump up.
  2. Peel and finely chop the onions and garlic, then season with the ground ginger and a pinch of sea salt and black pepper.
  3. Place a tagine or large casserole pan on a medium heat with 2 tablespoons of oil, then add the cinnamon for 1 minute to flavour the oil. Add the lamb, season with salt and pepper, then cook for 5 minutes, or until browned all over, stirring regularly.
  4. Push the meat to one side of the pan, placing the cinnamon stick on top, then add the seasoned onion and garlic alongside. Cook for 5 minutes, or until softened and caramelized, stirring occasionally.
  5. Gently scrub the courgettes and carrots, keeping them whole, peel and deseed the squash, then chop into 3cm chunks, and add it all to the pan. Pour in the prunes, saffron and all the soaking water, then top up with 200ml of water, and stir well.
  6. Bring to the boil, then cover and cook on a low heat for 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours, or until the lamb is tender and the veg are cooked through, stirring occasionally and adding splashes of water to loosen, if needed. Taste and season to perfection.
  7. Meanwhile, place the couscous in a bowl, season with salt and add the cloves, then just cover with boiling water and a drizzle of oil. Pop a plate on top and leave for 5 to 10 minutes to fluff up, then use a fork to fluff up again.
  8. Fold the harissa through the yoghurt. Serve the tagine, couscous and flatbreads with the harissa yoghurt, finishing with a scattering of mint leaves.