Moroccan Vegetable Tagine is a flavorful and aromatic North African stew, traditionally cooked in a clay pot called a tagine. A step-by-step guide on how to make Moroccan Vegetable Tagine:
Ingredients:
For the Tagine:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 large onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1 teaspoon ground paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust to your spice preference)
- 2 carrots, peeled and sliced into rounds
- 2 zucchinis, sliced
- 1 red bell pepper, sliced
- 1 yellow bell pepper, sliced
- 1 can (15 oz) chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- 1 can (15 oz) diced tomatoes
- 1/2 cup vegetable broth
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Fresh cilantro, chopped (for garnish)
- Sliced almonds (for garnish, optional)
For the Couscous (Optional):
- 1 cup couscous
- 1 cup vegetable broth or water
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt, to taste
Instructions:
For the Tagine:
1. Sauté the Aromatics:
- In a large tagine or a heavy-bottomed pot, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat.
- Add the chopped onion and sauté until it becomes translucent, about 3-4 minutes.
- Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
2. Add the Spices:
- Add the ground cumin, ground coriander, ground paprika, ground cinnamon, ground ginger, and cayenne pepper to the sautéed onions. Stir to coat the aromatics with the spices.
3. Layer the Vegetables:
- Begin layering the sliced carrots, zucchinis, red bell pepper, and yellow bell pepper in the tagine. Arrange them evenly.
4. Add Chickpeas and Tomatoes:
- Add the drained and rinsed chickpeas and the diced tomatoes to the tagine.
5. Pour in Vegetable Broth:
- Pour 1/2 cup of vegetable broth into the tagine.
6. Season and Simmer:
- Season the vegetables and broth with salt and pepper, to taste.
- Cover the tagine or pot with a lid and let the mixture simmer over low heat for about 30-40 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender and the flavors meld together.
For the Couscous (Optional):
7. Prepare the Couscous:
- In a separate pot, bring 1 cup of vegetable broth or water to a boil.
- Stir in 1 cup of couscous, cover, and remove from heat. Let it sit for 5 minutes, then fluff with a fork.
- Season the couscous with 1 tablespoon of olive oil and salt, to taste.
To Serve:
8. Garnish and Serve:
- Serve the Moroccan Vegetable Tagine over a bed of couscous.
- Garnish with chopped fresh cilantro and, if desired, sliced almonds for extra texture and flavor.
Moroccan Vegetable Tagine is a delightful and aromatic dish that's both hearty and healthy. It's traditionally served in the tagine pot for an authentic presentation, but a heavy-bottomed pot works just as well. Enjoy the wonderful blend of North African spices and flavors!