Moroccan Beef Tajine with Lemon Oregano Sauce
Moroccan Beef Tajine with Lemon Oregano Sauce
12
servings3
hours20
minutesYou wouldn’t believe how easy our Moroccan beef tajine is to make. Our beef tajine, like all tajines, cooks on a stovetop, which is why it is not only succulent, but also low maintenance.
If you can find beef cheeks, that would be ideal for this beef tajine, and indeed for all tajines. It is melt-in-your-mouth tender. Only be sure to rinse it thoroughly before using, as it often errs on the salty side, and whatever you do, never add any salt to the dish.
Ingredients
1.2Kg lean beef chunks, or beef cheeks thoroughly rinsed, cut into 2-inch squares
6 cups water
2 large onions, sliced very thin
Good pinch saffron
1 tablespoon turmeric
6-8 sprigs fresh thyme, leaves only…
…or 6-8 sprigs fresh oregano, leaves only…
…or 3 tablespoons dry oregano
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
Grated zest of 2 lemons
Ground pepper to taste
Directions
- Bring the beef chunks and the water to a boil in heavy broad bottom pot.
- Reduce the flame to medium, and cook, covered, for two hours.
- Make sure you don’t run out of water (add a little water if necessary).
- Add the onions, saffron and turmeric and cook, covered, for 1 hour.
- Uncover, add the thyme, lemon juice, lemon zest and pepper and cook 15 more minutes.
- Transfer the meat with a slotted spoon onto a platter.
- Check the liquid in the pot: If it is too thin, reduce on a high flame for a few minutes until thickened, and pour over the meat.
- Serve hot.
- Serve with the rice, potato or noodles on the side, so as not to “waste” the lovely sauce on the side dish, but rather, to have the sauce remain integral part of the meat dish.
Notes
- Variations. Here are just a few suggestions:
– Artichoke Hearts or bottoms. Add in the last 30 minutes of cooking.
– Mushrooms. Add at the beginning of cooking.
– Tiny potatoes: Add in the last 30 minutes of cooking
– Tomatoes: add a large chopped onion and 2 large diced tomatoes at the beginning of cooking. No mustard