The Berber Tagine
Berbers, or Imazighen, meaning “free people,” are the autochthonous inhabitants of Morocco and North Africa. Berber Tagine is a simple and savory festival of flavors: meat seasoned with flavorful spices, fresh vegetables topped with aromatic herbs, and a sauce full of veggie juice. A fantastic treat for the cold season!
What’s a Tagine?
Tagine is one of the most popular dishes in Moroccan cuisine. Still, the word “Tagine” could have two meanings, which is sometimes confusing for non-Moroccans. So, Here’s a little tip: “Tagine” stands for a slowly cooked stew-like dish that includes meat, vegetables, and sometimes fruits or nuts. This dish is traditionally cooked in an earthenware pot called “Tagine.”
Berbers initially invented both the pot and the ingredients; my article here highlights many FAQs and tips you may need before getting into Tagine cooking!
Do I need a Tagine pot?
Investing in a Tagine pot is so worth it. You may find one at Amazon, Target, or your local Moroccan/Middle Eastern grocery store. If you can’t find one, a Dutch oven, aka cocotte, will work just as well.
How easy is it to make this Tagine?
Super easy! Begin by sautéing your onions with olive oil, garlic, and spices. Next, add meat and brown for 5 to 10 minutes. Add water, and let the meat cook for 30-40 minutes.
Next, add your veggies and cook for 15 to 20 minutes. Cooking time may vary, but you should have cooked meat, tender veggies, and a slightly thick sauce at the end!
Add freshly chopped parsley right before you turn your stove off. This will help parsley keep its flavor and all its nutritional benefits. Add some olives and let simmer for a couple of minutes before serving.
Serving Berber Tagine
In the end, adding parsley flakes will take the flavor to another level! Serve your Tagine hot with warm Moroccan bread and fresh Moroccan mint tea, or simply a baguette and Coke!
Make it Vegan or Keto!
Moroccan Tagines celebrate vegetables like no other! The best part? You customize this dish to fit any diet! If you’re vegan or vegetarian, you may omit the meat and simmer the veggies with olive oil, garlic, ginger, and turmeric powder. To make your dish Keto, You may remove the potatoes and serve your Tagine with cauliflower bread and unsweetened iced tea instead! Bessaha 💚
Moroccan Berber Tagine
Equipment
- Tagine pot, or dutch oven (aka cocotte)
Ingredients
- 2 lbs beef
- 1 chopped onion (preferably red)
- 2 Tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp pepper
- 1 tsp ground ginger
- 1 tsp turmeric powder
- 2 crushed garlic cloves (or 1/2 tsp garlic powder)
- 1 Tbsp freshly chopped parsley
- 1/4 cup water (or more; just enough to cook)
- a pinch of Saffron (optional)
Veggies to taste
- 2 medium potatoes
- 1/2 zucchini
- 3 medium carrots
- 1/2 cup sweet peas
- 1 cup green beans
Instructions
- On a medium-low stovetop, preheat a Tagine pot for 3-5 minutes. If a Tagine is unavailable, you may use a cast iron pot, a.k.a. Dutch oven.
- Put olive oil, garlic, salt, pepper, ground turmeric, and ginger in the onions. Add beef and stir; cover and cook for 5-10 minutes.
- Add half 1/4 cup of water, a pinch of saffron if using, and cook for 15-30 minutes. Check often and add water as needed—be careful not to add too much, or the sauce will be runny.
- Add potatoes, carrots, sweet peas, green beans, and sweet peas. Cover and let cook for 10-15 minutes, adding water as needed.
- Use a spoon or a silicone brush to brush the veggies with tagine broth. Turn heat to low, and let simmer for 2-3 minutes. The result should be a slightly thick sauce and tender meat and veggies.
- Add parsley, turn the stove off, and serve your Tagine! Bessaha!
Notes
- Always add herbs at the end of cooking. You enjoy all the nutritional benefits and herbaceous flavor of parsley when you add it right before you turn the stove off.
- Since this is a Moroccan dish, bread is involved indeed. Enjoy Berber Tagine with Moroccan bread, baguette, or Cauliflower bread for a Keto version.
For a perfect combination, check out my Moroccan bread recipe!
Did you make this Tagine? Tag @petitapron on Instagram so we can find you!
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