Then and Now!

So the new year is here, and the world hasn't fallen apart as was predicted by some of the more pessimistic economists. However, I do feel that they are right about something and things are gong to have to change.
All of the papers are all about "then and now". Then being 2008 and now being 2009!!! Anyway, then we (the collective national we that is!) ate out three nights a week in a fabulous and often Michelin Starred restaurant, and now we cook at home on a Monday and live on reheats for the next four days.
Now I dont' know about anyone else but I certainly wasn't eating out three times a week, unless you can call eating in the kitchen at work as "out". Granted Mr.C and I would treat ourselves to dinner somewhere nice once a month, we would still baulk a little if the bill was more than 100euro for the two of us. We would go to somewhere cheap and cheerful like Wagamama about once a fortnight, and that was a real midweek treat.
However, in the last few months we have really come aware of the cost of eating out and we are trying to be good. Me because I am hoping that 2009 will be the year that I can buy a house and Him because he is recording some new tracks and putting all that together is costly!

So with that in mind, I am going to post a few recipes over the next few weeks that are recyclable and can be reheated. Usually, they are better on the 2nd day as all the flavours have a real chance to develop!
The first one is a fab tagine that I have made three times. The first time was when I had purchased a lovely tagine dish for all of 10euro, and I thought, well I better at least try to make something!!!! The second and third time were when I had friends coming over for dinner and wanted something that I could do all the prep for earlier in the day and then just bung it in the oven and put on the table when it was done. The added beauty of this is that it can be adapted to be vegetarian so easily. If I am honest, I prefer it without meat!
Don't be alarmed at the amount of ingredients, it is so simple to make!

You will need:
2 tsp paprika, 1 tsp salt,
One quarter tsp each of ground tumeric, cayenne pepper, ground cloves
One Half tsp each of ground cumin, ground cinnamon, ground cardamom, ground ginger
Three quarters tsp of shredded garlic and ground coriander
One Pince of saffron strands, the zest of one lemon and one Tbsp of oil
One pound of lamb in bite sized pieces
One tbsp oil
1 chopped onion, 3 cloves of garlic, 1 Tbsp grated ginger,
2 tbst tomato paste, 2 carrots in bite sized pieces,
One half cup of dried apricots, dates and figs chopped,
1tbsp fresh coriander and parsley, chopped
1tbsp flaked almonds, toasted
Preheat your oven to 150 c.
Directions: Mix the paprika, turmeric, cumin, cayenne pepper, cinnamon, cloves, cardamom, salt, ginger, garlic, coriander saffron, lemon zest and oil in a ziplock bag and mix well. Add the lamb and mix and squish well and marinate for a min f 4 hours. I usually leave the marinate over night.
The following day, heat the oil in a large pot. Add the lamba nd brown well & set aside. Add the onions and sauté until tender. Add teh garlic and ginger and saute for about a minute. Add the lamb and tomato paste and 1-2 tins of chopped tomatoes and a little stock to cover.Bring to the boil and at this point transfer to your tagine dish.
Place the dish in the middle of your oven and leave for about 2-3 hours until the meat starts to fall apart. Keep an eye on the food and if you feel it is still very wet, take the tagine lid off for a while.
Add your carrots, apricots, dates and figs and a little more stock about 20 mins before the end and cook untilthe carrots are tender.
When ready to serve, garnish with chopped coriander and parsley and some flaked almonds.

Serve with some couscous and naan bread. YUM!!!

To make vegetarian, substitute the lamb with aubergines, which I cube and marinate as the lamb, and plenty of mushrooms, which will also soak up all the flavours!
Enjoy!!!
This dish is perfect for a dinner party or even a cold sunday afternoon after a brisk walk. Enjoy again for lunch on Monday or Dinner on monday evening!!!!It is also very healthy and is pretty cheap per portion! Perfect for anyone watching their pennies!!!!

Orls xx