This is a tantalizing holiday entree as the gooey fruits and honey of this dish evoke the sweetness of a Happy New Year.

A tagine is a dish that is a native and staple of so many North African tables, specifically in the cuisines of Morocco, Tunisia and Algeria.
It looks like a chimney pot with a clay base . The pot is taken off and put aside and an aromatic stew of lamb, or beef, or chicken, or fish with chickpeas and vegetables appears: the stew may also be composed of only vegetables.

Tagine is a cooking method which for about an hour effectively steams and braises the meats and vegetables with spices at a relatively low temperature of 325 to 350  degrees so that they are tender, tasty and delectable.

If you cannot fine a tagine pot a roaster does the trick!

Ingredients:

• 2 lbs boneless lamb shoulder,cubed
• 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 1 onion,chopped
• 1tsp coriander
• 1 tsp fresh ginger,grated(or may use one frozen cube)
• 1 tsp kosher salt
• 1/4 tsp coarse pepper
• 1/4 tsp saffron threads
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 1/2 lb dried apricots
• 1/2 lb dried prunes
• 1/4 c honey
• 1 TBSP toasted sesame seeds

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees
2. In a large skillet over medium heat,heat oil, add lamb and brown on all sides. add onion and sauté 5 minutes.
3. in an oven proof tagine ,casserole, or crock pot, combine lamb,onion,ginger,coriander,salt,pepper saffron and cinnamon stick.
4. Barely cover with water and bake in oven with cover ajar for 45 minutes.
5. Remove cover and continue cooking another 15 minutes.
6. Remove cinnamon stick,add dried fruits and honey cook another 20 minutes.remove from oven sprinkle with sesame seeds!
7. this recipe is best enjoyed over couscous or simple white rice!

Chicken cutlet cubed can be substituted for the lamb if desired!

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