Here’s a recipe for a delicious meat tajine with artichokes and peas:

Ingredients:

• Meat:
• 1 kg (2.2 lbs) of lamb or beef, cut into chunks
• Vegetables:
• 4-5 fresh or frozen artichoke hearts
• 1 cup of peas (fresh or frozen)
• Spices:
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon saffron threads (optional)
• Other:
• 1 large onion, finely chopped
• 2-3 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro and parsley (mixed)
• Salt to taste
• 2 cups water or broth
• Juice of 1 lemon
• 1 preserved lemon, cut into quarters (optional)
• 1/2 cup green olives (optional)

Instructions:

1. Preparation:

• If using fresh artichokes, clean and trim them, removing tough outer leaves and cutting them into quarters. Rub with lemon juice to prevent browning. If using frozen artichokes, rinse and drain them.

1. Marinate the Meat:

• In a large bowl, combine the meat with the ginger, cumin, turmeric, cinnamon, paprika, black pepper, and saffron threads. Mix well to coat the meat evenly. Let it marinate for at least 1 hour, preferably overnight in the refrigerator for deeper flavor.

1. Cooking:

• Heat the olive oil in a large tajine or heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat.
• Add the chopped onion and minced garlic, sauté until they become soft and translucent.
• Add the marinated meat to the pot, browning it on all sides.
• Add the cilantro and parsley, then pour in the water or broth.
• Bring to a simmer, cover, and cook on low heat for about 1.5 to 2 hours, or until the meat is tender.

1. Add Vegetables:

• Add the artichoke hearts and peas to the pot. If using preserved lemon and green olives, add them now as well.
• Continue to simmer for another 20-30 minutes until the vegetables are tender and the flavors have melded together.

1. Adjust Seasoning:

• Taste and adjust the seasoning with salt and additional lemon juice if desired.

1. Serving:

• Serve the meat tajine hot, garnished with extra chopped cilantro and parsley if desired.
• Traditionally, it is served with couscous, rice, or crusty bread.

Enjoy your flavorful meat tagine with artichokes and peas!