Moroccan Lamb - Tagine style with the slow cooker

When I lived in France, I had the opportunity to attend part of a Moroccan wedding ceremony.  I say part because, from what I understand, the festivities last for days.  I'm not sure which part I attended, but the experience was unforgettable.  I was in a suite of rooms with only women.  These normally sedate and quiet women had shed their veils.  Such dresses!  Such dances!  Such partying!  I don't ever remember seeing the bride, but her family was incredible.  And the food, *sigh* the food was great.  It was my first introduction to Moroccan food.  I loved it - the blend of spices, the variety, sweet and savory.  It was incredible.

In this recipe, you get a sense of the culture.  The slow cooker creates the same kind of gentle cooking that is traditional with a tagine - especially welcome on a hot day.

I used Israeli couscous with this, although the smaller couscous is more traditional.

Moroccan Lamb Tagine

2 (or more) pounds of boneless lamb

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon ground ginger

1/2 teaspoon ground cumin

1/4 teaspoon ground turmeric

1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

2 sweet potatoes, peeled and chopped

2-3 medium carrots, cut into 1 inch pieces OR 1 1/2 cups baby carrots

1/2 cup chopped onion

2 diced Roma tomatoes

1/2 cup pitted whole dates, quartered

1/2 cup pitted green or black olives (go to the imported olives)

2 Tablespoons quick-cooking tapioca

lemon zest from 1 lemon

1 Tablespoon lemon juice

1 Tablespoon honey

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 14.5 ounce can chicken broth

3-4 cups cooked couscous (or more depending on your family)

Trim fat from meat.  Cut meat into 1 inch pieces.  Place in slow cooker.

Sprinkle spices over meat.  Toss gently.

Add remaining ingredients to slow cooker.

Cover and cook on low-heat setting for 8-10 hours or on high-heat setting for 4-5 hours.

Serve in shallow bowls over hot cooked couscous.