Slow Cooker Moroccan Date and Meat Stew

With the weather changing and with the time change you might feel you have less time than normal. I love crock pot recipes just for the simple fact that with today’s busy lifestyle, they help tremendously.

Here’s a crockpot recipe that combines dates, meat, and Mediterranean flavours. This Moroccan-inspired dish features tender, flavorful meat and sweet dates, creating a delightful balance of flavours. You can use lamb or beef for this recipe.

Ingredients:

• 2 pounds of boneless lamb or beef stew meat, cut into cubes
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon ground coriander
• 1 teaspoon ground paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric
• 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)
• Salt, to taste
• 1 can (14 ounces) diced tomatoes, undrained
• 1/2 cup chicken or beef broth
• 1 cup pitted dates, chopped
• 1/2 cup sliced almonds (for garnish)
• Fresh cilantro or parsley leaves, for garnish

Instructions:

1. In a large skillet, heat some oil over medium-high heat. Add the chopped onion and garlic and sauté until they are translucent.
2. Add the cubed meat to the skillet and brown it on all sides, then transfer the meat and onion mixture to the slow cooker.
3. In the slow cooker, add the ground cumin, ground coriander, ground paprika, ground cinnamon, ground ginger, ground turmeric, black pepper, cayenne pepper, and salt. Stir to coat the meat with the spices.
4. Add the diced tomatoes and their juice, chicken or beef broth, and chopped dates to the slow cooker. Mix well to combine all the ingredients.
5. Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours, or until the meat is tender and the flavours have melded together.
6. Before serving, taste the stew and adjust the seasoning, adding more salt or spices if needed.
7. Serve the Moroccan date and meat stew over cooked couscous, rice, or with some crusty bread. Garnish with sliced almonds and fresh cilantro or parsley leaves for an extra touch of flavour and texture.

This Moroccan-inspired date and meat stew is rich in flavour and showcases the sweet and savoury combination that Mediterranean cuisine is known for.

It’s a perfect dish for a slow cooker, as the long, slow cooking time allows the flavours to meld and the meat to become incredibly tender. Enjoy!