Need Help?
+1(888)274-0962
hello@foodsnots.com
Need Help:
Search
Slow Cooker

Middle Eastern Lamb Stew

This brothy stew is boldly flavored with a blend of characteristic Middle Eastern spices and finished with fresh spinach and fiber-rich chickpeas. Economical lamb shoulder tenderizes beautifully when leisurely cooked in a slow cooker. If you can't find boneless shoulder stew meat, do not substitute more-expensive lamb leg--it tends to dry out during slow cooking. Instead, purchase lamb shoulder chops and debone them. Serve over bulgur and accompany with a salad.

Prep Time:

10 mins

Cook Time:

10 mins

Total Time:

20 mins

Servings:

4

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 pounds boneless lamb stew meat, (shoulder cut) or 2 1/2 pounds lamb shoulder chops, deboned, trimmed and cut into 1-inch chunks
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil, or neutral oil, such as canola or avocado
  • 4 teaspoons ground cumin
  • 1 tablespoon ground coriander
  • ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • freshly ground pepper, to taste
  • 1 large or 2 medium onions, chopped
  • 1 28-ounce can diced tomatoes
  • ¾ cup reduced-sodium chicken broth
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 15- or 19-ounce can chickpeas, rinsed
  • 6 ounces baby spinach

Directions

  1. Place lamb in a 4-quart or larger slow cooker. Mix oil, cumin, coriander, cayenne, salt and pepper in a small bowl. Coat the lamb with the spice paste and toss to coat well. Top with onion.
  2. Bring tomatoes, broth and garlic to a simmer in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Pour over the lamb and onion. Cover and cook until the lamb is very tender, 3 to 3 1/2 hours on high or 5 1/2 to 6 hours on low.
  3. Skim or blot any visible fat from the surface of the stew. Mash 1/2 cup chickpeas with a fork in a small bowl. Stir the mashed and whole chickpeas into the stew, along with spinach. Cover and cook on high until the spinach is wilted, about 5 minutes.