Sweet Lamb For Ramadhan (el Ham Lahlou - Algeria)

Total Time: 1 hr 20 mins Preparation Time: 15 mins Cook Time: 1 hr 5 mins

Ingredients

• 1 lb lamb
• 12 prunes (dried)
• 1 pear (firm)
• 3 cups water
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 2 tablespoons orange blossom water
• 2 tablespoons raisins ()
• 2 tablespoons whole almonds (blanched)
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Recipe

• 1 cut lamb into 2-3 in pieces. soak prunes in water for 1-2 hours & remove pits. peel & core the pear & cut into wedges.
• 2 melt butter in a pan over low heat & add the lamb. sauté over low heat for 5 minutes.
• 3 add cinnamon, water & sugar & mix well.
• 4 increase heat to mod & cook for approx 45 minutes or till the lamb is tender to a fork. the sauce will become darker.
• 5 drain prunes & add them to the lamb w/the raisins, almonds & pear.
• 6 simmer for a further 15 minutes, remove the pan from heat & stir in the orange blossom water. (see note below).
• 7 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.".
• 8 "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.".