Moorish Lamb Tagine with Couscous

Forecast suggests yet more snow on the way.  Quick - to the market before there is a line around the block.  Starting to think that Whole Foods and Weather Underground may be in cahoots.   Get this soup on the stove and leave it to simmer while you read, ski and/or shovel. 

Moorish Lamb Tagine with Couscous

• 4 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 lamb shanks
• Flaked sea salt
• Freshly ground black pepper
• 1 preserved lemon, flesh removed and finely chopped, peels reserved
• 1 large onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/2 teaspoon turmeric
• 1/4 teaspoon Ras El Hanout
• Pinch saffron
• 2 cups red wine
• 1 small bunch parsley
• 1 small bunch cilantro
• Couscous
• Radishes 
• Radish sprouts
• Caramelized onions

Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a heavy bottomed dutch oven over medium heat.  Season lamb shanks with salt and pepper and brown them on all sides,  about 5 minutes per side.  Remove shanks from pan and set aside.  Add remaining two tablespoons olive oil, preserved lemon flesh onion, garlic and all spices and cook until onions are translucent and spices very fragrant, about 3 minutes.  Return lamb shanks to pot.   Add wine and enough water to just cover shanks.  Season well with salt and pepper.  Bundle herbs together and add to pot.  Cover pot and bring mixture to a boil. 

Transfer pot to a 300 degree oven and let cook until meat is so tender it easily falls from bone, adding reserved lemon peel after an hour.  

Remove from heat.  Remove shank bone, gently peeling away any meat and returning meat to pot.  Discard herb bundle.  Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.  Serve with prepared couscous, sliced radishes and radish sprouts and caramelized onions.