Lebanese-style lamb & aubergine stew

Name: Lebanese-style lamb & aubergine stew
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 1 h
Total time: 1 h 15 min
Yield: 4
Ingredients: 260 g Essential British Diced Lamb Shoulder; 1 tbsp plain flour; 3 tsp Cooks' Ingredients Lebanese 7 Spice Style Blend; 1½ tbsp olive oil; 1 onion, roughly chopped; 2 clove/s garlic, crushed; 1 aubergine, cut into 4cm dice; 400 g can chopped tomatoes; 250 ml fresh chicken stock; 200 g essential couscous; 75 g Essential Greek Light Salad Cheese, crumbled; 25 g pack flat leaf parsley, roughly chopped

Dishes that can bubble away in the background are game-changers when life gets hectic. Rich, hearty and gently spiced – this is as happy with mash, rice or jacket potato as it is with couscous.

3.5 out of 5 stars(4) Rate this recipe

Serves4
CourseMain meal
Prepare15 mins
Cook1 hr
Total time1 hr 15 mins

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260g Essential British Diced Lamb Shoulder
1 tbsp plain flour
3 tsp Cooks' Ingredients Lebanese 7 Spice Style Blend
1½ tbsp olive oil
1 onion, roughly chopped
2 clove/s garlic, crushed
1 aubergine, cut into 4cm dice
400g can chopped tomatoes
250ml fresh chicken stock
200g essential couscous
75g Essential Greek Light Salad Cheese, crumbled
½ x 25g pack flat leaf parsley, roughly chopped

In a large bowl, toss the diced lamb with the flour, 1 tsp Lebanese spice blend and a pinch of salt. In a large flameproof casserole dish or saucepan, heat 1 tbsp oil over a medium-high heat and fry the lamb for 5 minutes, or until golden and seared on all sides. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the lamb to a plate, then add the remaining oil to the pan and fry the onion, garlic and aubergine for 5-10 minutes, until golden and softened.
Return the seared lamb to the pan, along with the remaining 2 tsp spice blend, the chopped tomatoes and stock. Cover and cook over a medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until the lamb is tender (about 45 minutes), being careful not to boil the lamb, as that will make it tough.
About 10 minutes before the stew is ready, boil the kettle. Put the couscous in a large heatproof bowl and stir in a pinch of salt. Pour over 350ml just-boiled water, cover with a plate and set aside for 5 minutes. To serve, divide the couscous and stew between 4 bowls, then sprinkle over the cheese and parsley.

Cook’s tip

Cook's Tip

To test if your lamb (or any slow-cooked meat) is tender, push a sharp knife into the meat – it should go in with very little resistance. If not, cook the meat in 15-minute bursts until it does.

Health Hack

Couscous is made from wheat flour and semolina that is moistened and rolled together into tiny balls (a bit like flecks of pasta). It’s the ultimate speed carb because it doesn’t require cooking and takes just 5 minutes to rehydrate in hot water. Boost your nutrient intake by adding some cooked chickpeas, flaked almonds, pomegranate seeds or sliced olives.

And to drink...

Paolo Leo Primitivo di Manduria, a beautifully balanced red with an intense bouquet of dark berry fruits, with blackcurrants, blackberries and black cherries bursting through on the palate.

Typical values per serving when made using specific products in recipe