These sweet and spicy Moroccan recipes feature a savory combination of meat with fruit or caramelized vegetables. They all rank high on the list of my favorite Moroccan dishes, and are fairly easy to prepare. Although fine for family dinners, they're equally appropriate when entertaining.
1. Tagine of Meat and Prunes
Beef or lamb with prunes is a classic Moroccan dish that combines sweet prunes and meat with the fragrant spices of ginger, saffron, cinnamon and pepper. It's often served at holiday gatherings, weddings and other special occasions with crusty bread for scooping up the meat and sauce.
2. Lamb or Beef Tagine with Apricots
Delicious and easy to make, this classic Moroccan recipe combines dried apricots and meat stewed with saffron, cinnamon, ginger and pepper. Sesame seeds or fried almonds are scattered over the tagine as a garnish.
3. Tagine with Prunes and Dried Figs
Photo © Christine Benlafquih
This sweet and spicy tagine combines prunes, dried figs and meat stewed with Moroccan spices of saffron, cinnamon, ginger and Ras El Hanout. Sesame seeds or fried almonds are popular garnishes.
4. Chicken Tagine with Dates and Honey
Photo © Christine Benlafquih
Classic flavors make this a favorite in many homes. Add the optional white pepper and Ras el Hanout if you'd like extra spicy seasoning to contrast with the syrupy sauce.
5. Chicken Mezgueldi
Photo © Christine Benlafquih
This dish takes its name from a caramelized onion garnish known as mezgueldi. Prepare it in a conventional pot or traditional tagine.
6. Chicken Tagine with Chickpeas and Raisins
Photo © Christine Benlafquih
Chicken is stewed with tomatoes, chickpeas and raisins in a spicy, fragrant sauce seasoned with ginger, cinnamon, saffron and Ras El Hanout. If you like, a handful of dried apricots can be substituted for the raisins.
7. Mrouzia - Moroccan Lamb Tagine with Raisins, Almonds and Honey
Mrouzia – sometimes spelled M'rouzia – is a sweet and spicy Moroccan tagine traditionally prepared in the days following Eid Al Adha, or Eid Al Kabir. Lamb is most popular at this time, but beef or goat meat can also be used.
8. Tagine of Onions and Raisins
Photo © Christine Benlafquih
This very easy tagine recipe features a savory combination of meat and raisins in a sweet and spicy sauce. Use lamb, beef or goat meat. A pressure cooker will speed up the cooking.
9. Lamb or Beef Tagine with Dates
Photo © Christine Benlafquih
This easy Moroccan tagine features meat cooked until tender with saffron, ginger and pepper, and then topped by soft dates in a cinnamon-flavored syrup. Sesame seeds and fried almonds are traditional garnishes.
10. Tagine Makfoul (Caramelized Onions and Tomatoes)
Photo © Christine Benlafquih
This classic Moroccan dish features beef, lamb or goat meat stewed in savory spices and then topped with makfoul, a caramelized onion and tomato mixture. It can be prepared in a conventional pot, pressure cooker or traditional tagine.
11. Moroccan Tagine of Meat, Quinces and Honey
Photo © Christine Benlafquih
This easy tagine recipe is an absolutely delicious way to enjoy quinces, called safarjal in Arabic. Like other Moroccan fruit tagines, Tagine of Meat and Quinces features a savory combo of spicy and sweet.
12. Chicken Tagine with Tomatoes and Honey
Photo © Christine Benlafquih
Cinnamon and honey are surprisingly delicious additions to this Moroccan tagine of chicken and tomatoes. The chicken is stewed until tender with lots of tomatoes, which reduce to a thick, sweet puree. A garnish of toasted sesame seeds and fried almonds add nutty contrast.
