Beef and Fig Tagine with Couscous
A rich and aromatic North African stew made with tender beef, sweet figs, and flavorful spices, served over a bed of fluffy couscous.
4.4 / 5 (584)
Ingredients
Meat and Poultry
- beef short ribs
500 grams
- lamb shoulder
250 grams
Fruits
- dried figs
100 grams
- fresh figs
2 units
Spices and Herbs
- ground cumin
2 teaspoons
- smoked paprika
1 teaspoon
- dried parsley
a pinch
Grains
- couscous
200 grams
Instructions
- 1
Heat oil in the bottom of a clay or ceramic tagine or a large Dutch oven over medium heat.
To start, you need to heat some oil in the tagine or Dutch oven. This will be the base for sautéing your onions and garlic, which will add a rich flavor to the dish.
- 2
Add onions and cook, stirring occasionally, until they are lightly browned.
Add sliced onions to the pot and cook them until they are lightly browned. This step is important as it will add depth to the stew. Stir occasionally to prevent burning.
- 3
Add garlic, ginger, cumin, coriander, cinnamon, and paprika, and cook for 1 minute.
Now, add minced garlic and ginger along with the spices like cumin, coriander, cinnamon, and paprika. Let these cook for about a minute, stirring constantly, until the spices are fragrant.
- 4
Add the beef and lamb, and cook until browned on all sides.
Introduce the beef short ribs and lamb shoulder to the pot. Brown these on all sides; this will enhance the flavor of the meat in the stew.
- 5
Add figs, beef broth, and honey, then cover and bring to a boil.
It’s time to add the dried and fresh figs, beef broth, and a drizzle of honey to balance the flavors. Cover the pot and bring the mixture to a boil.
- 6
Reduce heat to low and simmer, covered, for about 2 1/2 hours, or until the meat is tender.
Once boiling, reduce the heat to low and let the tagine simmer, covered, for approximately 2 1/2 hours. The long simmering time will make the meat tender and the flavors rich and melded together.
- 7
Prepare the couscous according to package instructions.
While the stew is cooking, prepare your couscous. Follow the package instructions for the right water ratio and cooking time. Typically, it involves soaking the couscous in hot water and letting it steam.
- 8
Serve the tagine over the couscous, garnished with parsley and almonds if desired.
To serve, place a portion of the cooked couscous on a plate, then spoon the beef and fig tagine over it. You can garnish with some fresh parsley and toasted almonds for added freshness and crunch.
Ratings & Reviews
User Ratings
5
365
4
142
3
31
2
23
1
23
Reviews
CharlieT00I'm absolutely loving this Beef and Fig Tagine with Couscous recipe! As someone who's always on the lookout for new comfort food faves, this dish totally hits the spot. The combo of tender beef short ribs, sweet figs, and fluffy couscous is *chef's kiss*. I mean, who wouldn't want to cozy up with a warm bowl of this goodness on a chilly evening? The best part? It's actually pretty easy to make, despite the long cooking time. Just throw all the ingredients in a pot and let the magic happen. My only gripe is that it's a bit on the rich side, so I'd recommend serving it with a side of veggies or a green salad to balance things out. Still, I'd definitely make this again - it's a perfect blend of comfort food and international flair. If you're a fellow foodie looking to spice up your meal rotation, give this one a try!
Yari23OMG, this Beef and Fig Tagine with Couscous recipe is a **total game-changer**! As a flexitarian who loves trying new international cuisines, I was super excited to dive into this North African stew. The combo of tender beef, sweet figs, and flavorful spices is absolutely **delicioso**! I mean, who wouldn't love a dish that's like a party in your mouth? The addition of couscous on the side is a great touch, but I had to swap it out for a gluten-free alternative, of course. I used **gluten-free couscous** and it worked like a charm. The best part? It's actually pretty easy to make, despite the long cooking time. Just imagine the aromas that'll fill your kitchen while it's simmering away - **amazing**! I'd totally recommend this recipe to anyone looking to spice up their meal routine. It's a **must-try** for anyone who loves tropical fruits and spices, like me!
RukuD22I'm so excited to try this recipe, but unfortunately, it doesn't quite align with my vegetarian dietary preferences :( The use of beef short ribs and lamb shoulder is a bit of a turn-off for me. That being said, I love the combination of figs and spices - it's giving me major Indian and Middle Eastern vibes! The addition of couscous is also a great touch. If I were to modify this recipe to suit my tastes, I'd swap out the meat for some plant-based alternatives like jackfruit or mushrooms. The spice level could also use a bit of a boost, maybe add some extra chili peppers or red pepper flakes? Despite the initial letdown, I'm all about trying new and innovative recipes, so I'd definitely give this a go with some tweaks. Chalo, let's get cooking and make it veg-friendly! Dukh hota hai (it's a pity) that it's not already plant-based, but I'm up for the challenge!
MeiMei88This Beef and Fig Tagine with Couscous recipe? Game-changer! I mean, I wasn't sure about the figs and spices, but trust me, it's a flavor bomb! The instructions were super clear, even for a non-native English speaker like me. I did adjust the spice level to my taste, added some Korean chili flakes for extra kick. The only downside? No street food vibes, but I guess that's what makes it a 4-star dish for me. Would I make it again? Absolutely, and I'd even serve it at my next dinner party!
ZhilinZ04OMG, this Beef and Fig Tagine with Couscous recipe is LOWKEY fire!!! I'm always down to try new flavors and this North African stew is def on my list now! The combo of beef short ribs, sweet figs, and spices is giving me major food envy . I love how the recipe has a mix of familiar and exotic ingredients, like cumin and smoked paprika. The only thing that's got me questioning is the lack of spice level - where's the heat? I mean, I'm a Sichuan food lover at heart, so I need my dishes to have some kick! But overall, I'm curious to give this recipe a try and see if it's worthy of a permanent spot in my food rotation . 10/10 would rec for adventurous eaters like myself
CaspianTheGreat88This Beef and Fig Tagine with Couscous recpie is straight fire! I mean, who wouldn't love a rich and aromatic stew with tender beef and sweet figs? The fact that it's got a bunch of spices in it is a major win for me, I'm all about that spicy life. The only thing that kinda throws me off is that it doesn't seem super spicy, but I guess that's not really what a tagine is about. Also, no blue cheese in sight, which is a major plus. I love that it's served over couscous, that's some good eatin' right there. Prep time's a bit of a bummer, but trust me, it's worth it. Would def make again, maybe with a bit of a spicy kick
YaraBearaOMG, this Beef and Fig Tagine with Couscous recipe is a GAME CHANGER! As a flexitarian who's always down to try new Scandinavian-inspired eats (just kidding, sorta), I was stoked to give this North African stew a go. The combo of tender beef, sweet figs, and fluffy couscous had me hooked from the get-go. I subbed in some oat milk for the beef broth to make it a bit more plant-based-friendly (don't @ me) and it worked like a charm. The only downside? I had to do a bit of a gluten-free couscous workaround, but that's just a minor bump in the road. Overall, I'd def give this recipe 5 stars - it's a must-try for anyone looking to spice up their meal game!
rohanrules22Chalo, I'll give you my honest opinion on this Beef and Fig Tagine with Couscous recipe. As a veggie, this dish is already a no-go for me, ya know? I mean, I love a good curry or biryani, but beef short ribs and lamb shoulder? Not my cup of chai. And figs? Meh, they're okay, I guess. The spices seem interesting, I'll give it that. Smoked paprika and cumin, hmm... could be good in a curry, but in a tagine? I'm not so sure. And the cooking time? 2 1/2 hours? That's a lot of time, bhai. I've got better things to do than wait around for my food to cook all day. All in all, I wouldn't try this recipe myself, but hey, if you're into that sorta thing, go for it! Just don't expect me to be trading in my veggie curries for a tagine anytime soon.
SophieLaParisienneOh, mon dieu! This Beef and Fig Tagine with Couscous recipe is a culinary masterpiece that transported me to the sun-kissed hills of North Africa. As a flexitarian with a penchant for French cuisine, I was delighted to discover the harmonious marriage of tender beef, sweet figs, and aromatic spices in this rich and flavorful stew. The addition of couscous, that quintessential North African staple, provided a delightful textural contrast to the dish. I must admit that I was initially concerned about the lamb shoulder, given my efforts to limit my meat intake, but the beef short ribs and lamb shoulder were so tender and fall-apart that I couldn't help but indulge. The only suggestion I would make is to consider substituting the lamb shoulder with a plant-based alternative to make the dish more inclusive for fellow flexitarians. Nevertheless, this recipe is a must-try for anyone who appreciates the beauty of French-inspired cuisine with a global twist. **Vive la tagine!**