Sweet Lamb for Ramadhan (El Ham Lahlou - Algeria)
- 1 lb lamb
- 12 prunes (dried)
- 1 pear (firm)
- 3 cups water
- 14 cup sugar
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons orange blossom water
- 2 tablespoons raisins (white)
- 2 tablespoons whole almonds (blanched)
- 12 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- Cut lamb into 2-3 in pieces.
- Soak prunes in water for 1-2 hours & remove pits.
- Peel & core the pear & cut into wedges.
- Melt butter in a pan over low heat & add the lamb.
- Saute over low heat for 5 minutes.
- Add cinnamon, water & sugar & mix well.
- Increase heat to mod & cook for approx 45 minutes or till the lamb is tender to a fork.
- The sauce will become darker.
- Drain prunes & add them to the lamb w/the raisins, almonds & pear.
- Simmer for a further 15 minutes, remove the pan from heat & stir in the orange blossom water.
- (See note below).
- NOTES: "Normally served at room temp w/rice, salad & bread, this sweet lamb dish is eaten after a dy of fasting during the Muslim holy celebration of Ramadhan.
- It's cooked w/o salt to prevent thirst the next dy for those fasting -- something that can be important in hot desert areas.
- ".
- "Orange blossom water is distilled water containing the essential oils of the orange blossom.
- It adds a hint of a citrus scent to foods & compliments the flavor.
- It is used in many lamb dishes, desserts & is perfect for fruit.
- A little goes a long way, so add it a few drops at a time to determine how much you like.
- It can be found at farmers markets, specialty food stores & Middle Eastern grocers.
- ".
lamb, prunes, pear, water, sugar, butter, orange blossom water, raisins, whole almonds, ground cinnamon
Taken from www.food.com/recipe/sweet-lamb-for-ramadhan-el-ham-lahlou-algeria-169340 (may not work)