Eid Recipes | Moroccan Meat with Olives and Preserved Lemon

Eid al Adha 2009 is fast approaching. We plan to feature some exciting Eid recipes from around the world in this blog. So that you may try these Eid recipes for your family and friends.

Today, we feature a popular Moroccan main dish recipe that would be great for an Eid main dish. It is called the Moroccan Meat with Olives and Preserved Lemon. This meat dish is very popular during Eid in Morocco.

This dish can be prepared using beef, lamb or goat. It is traditionally prepared in a tagine, but the recipe below uses a pot or pressure cooker, if you do not have a tagine at home.

This Eid recipe is a must try for you!


Eid Recipes
Moroccan Meat with Olives and Preserved Lemon




Ingredients:

* 1 1/2 lbs. (700 g) beef or lamb, cut into 3-inch pieces
* 1 large onion, chopped fine or grated
* 2 cloves of garlic, chopped very fine or pressed
* 1/3 cup olive oil
* 1 tablespoon butter
* 1/2 teaspoon salt
* 1/2 teaspoon pepper
* 1/2 teaspoon ginger
* 1/2 teaspoon turmeric (or 1/8 teaspoon Moroccan yellow colorant)
* 1/2 teaspoon saffron threads, crumbled
* 1/4 cup chopped parsley and cilantro
* 2 1/2 cups water
* 1 handful red or green olives, with pits
* 1 preserved lemon, quartered and seeds removed

Method:

In a large pot or pressure cooker, mix the meat with the oil, butter, salt, pepper, ginger, and turmeric. Heat the meat over medium-high heat, and stir to brown all sides.

Add the water, saffron, parsley and cilantro. Cover the pot, and bring the liquids to a fast simmer.

Pressure cooker method:

If using a pressure cooker, cook the meat with pressure over medium heat for 40 to 45 minutes, or until the meat is quite tender. Add the olives and lemon. Reduce the liquids until they are mostly oils, or have the appearance of a thick sauce.

Pot method:

If using a pot, simmer the meat, covered, over medium heat for 1 1/2 to 2 hours, or until the meat is quite tender. Stir occasionally and add a little water if necessary to prevent the meat from scorching. When the meat is cooked, add the olives and lemon, and reduce the liquids until they are mostly oils or have the appearance of a thick sauce.

Meat with Olives is traditionally served Moroccan style on a large platter, with each person eating from his own side of the plate with crusty bread for scooping up the meat and sauce.

Try this Eid Recipe Today!