COOKS! Anyone use a tagine? Moroccan ceramic cooker

[kittycats_delight]

The ones we had at the restaurant were from Morocco. The chef got them from there and they were terra cotta. Ours were just like this.

This is what Moroccan tagine is.

Tajines in Moroccan cuisine are slow-cooked stews braised at low temperatures, resulting in tender meat with aromatic vegetables and sauce. They are traditionally cooked in the tajine pot, the conical cover which has a knob-like handle at its top to facilitate removal. While simmering, the cover can be lifted off without the aid of a mitten, enabling the cook to inspect the main ingredients, add vegetables, mix the contents, or add additional braising liquid.
Most tajines involve slow simmering of less-expensive meats.


Have emailed you the recipes.

[Freedom]

Got the recipes, thanks, they sound SOOoo yummy!

[Lilith Cherry]

Please may I have the recipes too? I have the chinese terra cotta version and it really makes delicious soups and stews from really tough cuts of meat. I just make them up as I go along lol~

[Freedom]

Ellie, since I don't use either one, I couldn't respond. I asked Linda the woman on FB who just bought a tajine. Here is her reply:

no..its not the same as a slow cooker at all Sandie..a slow cooker is just that..slow..I did the Morroccan recipe in mine in well under 40 mins..brill!..so tender..the slow cooker lids are flat..the tagine is conical..all the steam runs back down keeping the flavour locked in..so..you now have the answer..lol

[pomtzu]

Ellie, since I don't use either one, I couldn't respond. I asked Linda the woman on FB who just bought a tajine. Here is her reply:

no..its not the same as a slow cooker at all Sandie..a slow cooker is just that..slow..I did the Morroccan recipe in mine in well under 40 mins..brill!..so tender..the slow cooker lids are flat..the tagine is conical..all the steam runs back down keeping the flavour locked in..so..you now have the answer..lol

Thanks for the explanation. Since slow works for me, I guess I'll just stick with my crockpot. The steam on the lid runs/drips back down into the pot, so anything I cook is always moist and tender. Just takes longer to get that way!

[cassiesmom]

I saw this one in the Food Network magazine. I don't know that much about Moroccan food other than couscous.

http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/60087707/#


Edited to add (from IKEA Web site)
Key features
- Thick walls evenly distribute the heat so that the food is heated up from several directions.
- Thick base prevents food from easily burning and sticking to the pan.
- Made from thick anodized aluminum with Teflon® Professional non-stick coating; allows ingredients for the tagine to boil for a long time without getting burnt and stuck to the pan.
- Thanks to the lid, steam changes into liquid which drips down on the food during cooking; tastes and consistency develop and the food takes care of itself.
- Rounded interior; makes stirring and beating easy.



I've got my grandmother's crock pot, circa 1975- the first style that came out with the removable pot. It works great! It's a lovely, attractive 1970s burnt orange color, eek. But it works really really well. My sister-in-law has a large one that's an oval shape and she can put a whole chicken in it (don't even have to cut it up first) or even a small roast.

[Lilith Cherry]

My Chinese one has a domed ceramic lid but not a tall as the tagine. It is still fast though and the flavours are great. Thanks for the recipes.

This is a picture of the shop where I bought it in Foshan, China

[kittycats_delight]

Please may I have the recipes too? I have the chinese terra cotta version and it really makes delicious soups and stews from really tough cuts of meat. I just make them up as I go along lol~

I have sent Sandie and email asking she forward the recipes on to you.

[Lilith Cherry]

Sandie, the black one is also clay, just a different glaze. Thos pots come in all shapes and sizes for making Chinese herbal medicines as well as food.

Thanks Kittycats Delight, Sandie was kind enough to send me the recipes

[smokey the elder]

I love Moroccan food. A tagine sounds like a reflux condenser (I know, nerd alert.)

[Freedom]

I love Moroccan food. A tagine sounds like a reflux condenser (I know, nerd alert.)

Ahahaaaaaa, yes, it sure does!

[cassiesmom]

The ones we had at the restaurant were from Morocco. The chef got them from there and they were terra cotta. Ours were just like this.

This is what Moroccan tagine is.

Tajines in Moroccan cuisine are slow-cooked stews braised at low temperatures, resulting in tender meat with aromatic vegetables and sauce. They are traditionally cooked in the tajine pot, the conical cover which has a knob-like handle at its top to facilitate removal. While simmering, the cover can be lifted off without the aid of a mitten, enabling the cook to inspect the main ingredients, add vegetables, mix the contents, or add additional braising liquid.
Most tajines involve slow simmering of less-expensive meats.


Have emailed you the recipes.

Do you set it directly on the burner, though? If it is clay, would I need to put it in a pot of simmering water to start the steam -- like a bain marie? With the All-Clad I wouldn't be afraid to place the metal bottom right on the burner or in the oven.

[Freedom]

Most will require a diffuser (those are not expensive). I was browsing on ebay, and some say diffuser not needed. Most are dishwasher safe and say so.

[kittycats_delight]

Do you set it directly on the burner, though? If it is clay, would I need to put it in a pot of simmering water to start the steam -- like a bain marie? With the All-Clad I wouldn't be afraid to place the metal bottom right on the burner or in the oven.

I don't know about electric stove tops but I know our chef used fire burners and used it directly on the burner. It isn't at all like a bagna maria. No need to put it into anything. It is made specifically for in the shape it is for that reason.

[Lilith Cherry]

The Chinese clay pots can be used directly over a flame ( Most households in China have only gas burners and no ovens) They have to be soaked in cold water for a coupe of days before using on the flame; I have never had one crack or break on me in over 10 years of using them.