A thick stew filled with tender chunks of lamb, sweet potatoes and eggplant, garnished with fresh cilantro and served with a side of fluffy couscous and lemon wedges on a decorative platter

Slow Cooker North African Lamb Stew

Name: Slow Cooker North African Lamb Stew
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 360 min
Total time: 380 min
Yield: 4
Cuisine: African
Ingredients: boneless lamb shoulder, 2 lb cut into chunks (fat trimmed); sweet potato, 1 large peeled and cut into chunks; eggplant, 1 large cut into chunks; onion, chopped; garlic cloves, 4 minced; ground cumin, 1 tsp; ground coriander, 1 tsp; paprika, 1 tsp; ground ginger, 1 tsp; cinnamon, 1 tsp; tomato paste, 1 tbsp; honey, 1 tsp; chicken broth, 2 cups; chickpeas, 1 can drained and rinsed; olive oil, 1 tbsp; salt, to taste; pepper, to taste; cilantro leaves, to serve; lemon wedges, to serve; couscous, to serve

Category Main Course

Prep 20 minutes

Cook 360 minutes

Style African

Technique Slow Cooking

Diet Friendly Paleo

Daily Recipe: March 07, 2023

This recipe is inspired by the flavors of North Africa, where warming spices and slow-cooked meats are popular. We'll be using lamb, a common protein in North African cuisine, alongside hearty seasonal vegetables like sweet potatoes and eggplant. The slow cooker will help to create fork-tender and flavorful meat.

Ingredients (for 4)

Boneless lamb shoulder - 2 lb - cut into chunks (fat trimmed)
Sweet potato - 1 large - peeled and cut into chunks
Eggplant - 1 large - cut into chunks
Onion - - chopped
Garlic cloves - 4 - minced
Ground cumin - 1 tsp
Ground coriander - 1 tsp
Paprika - 1 tsp
Ground ginger - 1 tsp
Cinnamon - 1 tsp
Tomato paste - 1 tbsp
Honey - 1 tsp
Chicken broth - 2 cups
Chickpeas - 1 can - drained and rinsed
Olive oil - 1 tbsp
Salt - - to taste
Pepper - - to taste
Cilantro leaves - - to serve
Lemon wedges - - to serve
Couscous - - to serve

Preparation

Step 1 - 🍖🔪🔥

In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Season the lamb pieces with salt and pepper and sear until browned on all sides, about 3-4 minutes per side.
Step 2 - 🍴🥘🔥

Place the browned lamb pieces, along with any accumulated juices, into the slow cooker. To the slow cooker, add the sweet potatoes, eggplant, onion, garlic, cumin, coriander, paprika, ginger, cinnamon, tomato paste and honey. Pour the chicken broth over the mixture and give everything a good stir.
Step 3 - ⏰🍲🔥

Cook on high for 4-6 hours or on low for 8-10 hours, or until the lamb is tender and falling apart. Stir in the chickpeas and cook for an additional 15-20 minutes, until the chickpeas are heated through.
Step 4 - 🍽️🌿🍋

Serve garnished with fresh cilantro leaves, lemon wedges, and fluffy couscous.

Additional

You can adjust the spices to your personal taste. This dish is perfect to make ahead of time and reheat throughout the week for an easy and satisfying meal. For a vegetarian twist, swap the lamb with chickpeas or tofu.