Moroccan Lamb Stew

This Moroccan lamb stew is one of my favourite meals to cook. Its comforting, packed with flavour and a stress free meal to prepare. It really is a one pot wonder! In this recipe we are using boneless leg of lamb but you can replace it with lamb shoulder chops (boned or boneless). Below you will find a recipe to help you make your own Moroccan spice mixture, but if you have a pre made one sitting in your cupboard, that would be perfect too. We love serving the stew with brown rice, cous cous or plain pita bread. Its also perfect all on its own!

Moroccan Spice Mix (makes 2 tbsp):

1 tbsp ground cumin
1/2 tsp ground coriander
1 tsp ground ginger
1 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/8 tsp cayenne
1/2 tsp ground all spice
1/4 tsp ground clove
Ingredients:

2 lb boneless leg of lamb, fat trimmed, cubed
6 tbsp Olive Oil
1 large onion, chopped
4 cloves of garlic, chopped
1 tbsp tomato paste
1 cup chopped carrots
1 cup chopped potato
1/2 cup chopped celery
1/2 cup dried apricots, chopped
2 cups chicken (or vegetable) broth
2 large tomatoes, chopped
1 cinnamon stick
Salt & pepper to taste
Optional: chopped spinach
Instructions:

Mix all 9 spices together in a large bowl to make Moroccan spice mixture. Add lamb and toss to coat. Heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large dutch oven pot over medium heat. Add lamb and cook until brown on all sides. If your pot is not large enough, do this in two batches. Once browned, remove lamb from pot and set aside.
Add remaining 3 tbsp olive oil, onion and garlic to dutch oven pot and cook until slightly golden. Add tomato paste, carrot, potato, celery, apricot and broth and bring to a boil. Add lamb back into the pot along with chopped tomatoes and the cinnamon stick. Reduce heat to low, cover and simmer for 2 hours.
Once 2 hours have passed do a taste test. If the lamb doesn’t instantly melt in your mouth, it needs more time to simmer. Return the lid onto the pot and let simmer for an additional 30 - 50 minutes. Regularly check the meat to see if its tender. Once its done to your liking, do a final taste test and add salt and pepper as desired. If you would like to add chopped spinach, now would be the time.