طاجين (Tajine)
Tajine or tagine is not a stew; Tajine is the cookware you use to make stews.
It is typically an earthenware deep plate with a funny looking conical top. A traditional Berber dish that dates from before the Arab invasion of northern Africa. The main idea is that the moisture from the vegetables and foodstuffs condenses in the lid and then drips back down to the dish. You can put any amount of vegetables, fruit and meats in it. The real recipe is done over a coal stove and prepared from morning to lunch time.
This recipe is for vegetarian tajine, which is every bit as traditional as the lamb or goat version. Its also a lot faster to make.
Ingredients
- 2 medium onions, sliced
- 2 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1 large carrot, chopped
- 1 zucchini, chopped
- 1 cup of cooked chickpeas
- 1 red or green pepper
Optionally:
- 2 Tomatoes, chopped
- 4 or 6 dates (or dried plums or prunes)
- Almonds
- A slice of lemon
- 2 or 3 cooked potatoes
- ¼ cooked squash or pumpkin
Spices (also optional)
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp turmeric
- 1 pinch of saffron
- 1 tsp ginger powder
- 1 tsp paprika
- 2 cups vegetable broth (or beef broth)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Preparation
Tajin plates vary widely in size and shape, so you might have to adjust quantities so that it all fits nicely in your version.
Before starting mix the broth with the spices you plan on using, mix well and set aside.
In a large pan or medium pot add the olive oil and the onions, when hot lower the heat and add the garlic and the broth with the spices.
While you wait for the broth to boil chop up all your extra veggies, setting them aside as you go. When your broth is boiling add them all to the pot and turn up the heat again. Turn it off the second it starts boiling a second time.
Turn on the oven and get your Tajin ready. Add a layer of couscous distributed evenly, and carefully add broth from the vegetables to the plate, add enough broth to cover the couscous. Then on top add the vegetables and any optional ingredients. Cover it and put it in the oven for 25 to 30 minutes.
This recipe will feed 3 hungry stew lovers.