Apricot Lamb with Shredded Cabbage

Based on the Moroccan way of stewing meat with fruit, here lamb is marinated with mushrooms and herbs, then cooked slowly with dried apricots. Shredded cabbage and fresh mint enliven the couscous accompaniment.

Source: Cook Smart for a Healthy Heart, Reader’s Digest Canada

 

Servings Prep Time Cook Time Passive Time
4servings 15minutes 2 1/2hours 12 hours marinating
Servings Prep Time
4servings 15minutes
Cook Time Passive Time
2 1/2hours 12 hours marinating
Ingredients
Servings: servings
Units:
Ingredients
Servings: servings
Units:
Instructions
  1. Place the lamb in a bowl with the mushrooms and onion. Tie the bay leaves and thyme together into a bouquet garni and add to the bowl with the garlic, carrots, celery and nutmeg. Pour over the ale and stir to mix, then cover and leave to marinate in the refrigerator for 12 hours.
  2. Preheat the oven to 325ºF (160ºC). Transfer the lamb, mushrooms and flavouring ingredients to a large casserole and pour the marinade over. Add the tomatoes and the stock. Cover and cook in the oven for 2 hours.
  3. Discard the bouquet garni from the casserole. Stir in the apricots and pepper and return the casserole to the oven to cook for a further 30 minutes.
  4. Just before the casserole is ready, prepare the couscous. Bring the stock to a boil in a large saucepan. Add the cabbage and bring back to a boil, then remove from the heat and immediately add the couscous and mint. Stir once, then cover the pan and leave, off the heat, for about 5 minutes or until the couscous has absorbed all the stock. Use a fork to fluff up the couscous.
  5. Divide the shredded-cabbage couscous among 4 bowls and ladle the apricot lamb casserole over the top. Scatter over the chopped parsley and serve immediately while hot.
Recipe Notes

Per serving: 486 calories, 36 g protein, 12 g total fat, 5 g saturated fat, 81 mg cholesterol, 51 g total carbohydrate, 28 g sugars, 13 g fibre, 1023 mg sodium

Combining cabbage and mint with couscous adds flavour and beneficial nutrients to the satisfying carbohydrate.