Collection: TAJINE DISH

Everything you need to know about the tagine dish!

The word tajine is used both to designate the appropriate dish needed to make a tajine and the recipe itself. Each country in North Africa has its own specific recipes, but the tajine is a dish that can be adapted to suit everyone's preferences: meat, fish, vegetables, candied fruit, aromatic herbs and spices; it's up to you to choose and combine the flavors of these foods that will simmer together and reveal the best of themselves thanks to gentle cooking.

The tagine is the essential dish of Moroccan cuisine and a good part of the Maghreb. For several years, all the lovers of cuisine around the world have been fighting over it to simmer and slowly cook delicious little dishes based on meat, vegetables and fish with sweet flavors from here and elsewhere. The versatility of the tagine dish makes it a perfect choice for meals with family or friends.

A few tips are needed to know how to choose your tagine and brazier, but also to maintain it properly. You will find all the answers to your questions in this blog article, so treat yourself and discover all the secrets of the tagine dish !

How to choose your tagine to cook tasty dishes?

Let's start at the beginning: how to choose the tagine dish that meets your needs to delight your guests with ease? It is essential to know a little more about its composition and finishes in order to delight young and old that you will welcome to your table. Once you have all this information, you can easily buy a tagine dish that suits your needs!

The traditional tagine dish is made up of two distinct parts. First, the hollow dish, which will be more or less deep depending on the diameter chosen, but above all thick to avoid bursting from the first use because of the heat emanating from the brazier below. The hollow dish is topped with a round or conical lid, depending on the region in which it was made. Berbers tend to use raw tagines with round or oval lids, while other inhabitants of Morocco opt for conical lids, often enameled. No matter the shape of the lid, your food will be cooked just as delicious, and the flavors will be pleasantly preserved!

There are two types of tagines : enameled and varnished tagines or raw and unglazed tagine dishes . The glazed or enameled tagine dish is very aesthetic, but it should not be confused with a purely decorative tagine , which can only be used as a serving dish and not for cooking. It is easy to combine with pretty porcelain plates, which will make your meal even more enjoyable and refined within this table accessory!

The varnish makes it much easier to maintain and clean the tagine dish , while also making it waterproof. It also allows this dish to be used on a brazier, a gas fire, an oven or even a glass ceramic hob. Make sure that the bottom of the dish is smooth before placing it on a glass ceramic hob so as not to scratch it.

The unglazed tagine is recommended for anyone looking for a dish for slow and above all healthy cooking. If you want to make a traditional Moroccan tagine , you must absolutely choose a tagine dish and a brazier for gentle and slow cooking over the embers.

How to protect your tagine when using it for the first time?

If you have chosen a traditional terracotta tagine dish , whether enamelled or not, it is essential to take care of it and protect it before its very first use. This prevents it from bursting or cracking when you place it on a heat source, whether on a traditional brazier or a classic gas stove.

Before using your Moroccan tagine for the first time, it is recommended to immerse the two separate parts (the dish and the lid) in water. You can place them in a bathtub or a basin filled with cold water and white vinegar. It is important that the dish and the lid are completely submerged in water to protect them from cracking. This immersion should last at least 24 hours, thus ensuring proper preparation. Once this time has elapsed, empty the water from your bathtub or basin and let your tagine dish air dry for another 24 hours. There is no need to place it in the sun; simply allow the terracotta to dry properly before using it.

Size of tagine dishes

When it comes to choosing the size of your tagine dish , it is generally recommended that a 25 cm model is ideal for a family of 4 people. However, it is important to note that this mainly depends on the quantity of food you are cooking. For meals for more than 4 people, a 25 cm tagine dish can quickly prove insufficient. Therefore, for larger meals intended for 8 to 10 people, it is recommended to opt for a tagine dish of at least 30 cm in diameter. The latter must also have a base deep enough to contain all the food while allowing for even cooking.

Choosing the right size tagine dish is essential to ensuring everyone can enjoy a generous and well-served meal. Investing in a tagine dish that is right for you will ensure that you can prepare tasty dishes that will delight your guests, whatever the occasion.

Originally, tagine dishes were made exclusively from terracotta.

Originally, tagine dishes were exclusively made of terracotta, a traditional material that remains very popular. However, to meet the needs of our new cooking habits, you will now find them in different materials, each with its own advantages. Note that there are very pretty tagines with attractive designs that will add a decorative touch to your table, but which are only intended to be presentation dishes. You will therefore need to opt for a second tagine dish for cooking in order to transfer your preparation into your serving tagine dish once the dish is finished.

When it comes to terracotta or ceramic tagine dishes , they are perfect for traditional cooking. Here are some advantages:

• They are made from natural and healthy materials, guaranteeing an authentic culinary experience.
• They are oven safe, increasing their versatility in the kitchen.

However, there are also some drawbacks to consider:

• There is a possibility that they will not pass over a heated surface without a heat diffuser, which leads to a risk of cracks (this depends on the model).
• Make sure the ceramic base is compatible with your induction hob, as this is not automatic and may vary depending on the model.

On the other hand, cast iron tagine dishes are ideal for compatibility with all types of fires, including induction. Here are their advantages:

• They are perfect for long cooking times, as they diffuse heat evenly.
• They retain heat for a long time, which is especially useful if you are not serving the dish immediately after cooking.
• They are compatible with all types of cookers, including induction.
• They withstand high temperatures, which makes them robust and efficient.

However, there are some drawbacks to consider:

• They can be energy intensive, which is very harmful to the environment.

Most tagine pan manufacturers glaze or enamel the base of their products to prevent the utensil from retaining flavors and to make cleaning easier. Thanks to the enamel, the surface of the tagine pan is perfectly smooth. This means that spices and food will not stick to it, which could be the case if the utensil is not enameled and remains porous. A pan that is not enameled will also be more sensitive to temperature variations. This is why manufacturers usually add one or more layers of enamel to make it more resistant and durable.

Use and maintenance of a tagine dish

How to use a Moroccan tagine ?

• Both cast iron and ceramic tagine dishes are oven safe, but it is important to note that when the lid is heated as intensely as the base, the condensation phenomenon, which is essential for cooking, can be impaired.
• Since the idea of ​​tajine is to cook delicately, it is advisable not to use your tajine dish on a high heat. Instead, place it on the heat that is most suited to the size of your tajine base and be patient. This approach will ensure even and delicate cooking, allowing the flavors to fully develop.
• Additionally, it is essential to avoid temperature shocks with a terracotta tagine dish to prevent any cracking. Terracotta is a sensitive material that requires delicate handling.
• For dishes that cook in the most authentic way possible, stick to slow cooking over low heat. The tagine dish works by layering food and spices, allowing each ingredient to cook together and infuse its flavors.

The moisture of the ingredients is retained thanks to the tagine chimney, which condenses the vapors during cooking and drops them back in the form of droplets. This process gently rehydrates the food, ensuring tasty and moist dishes. By following these tips, you will not only ensure the longevity of your tagine dish , but also the quality of the food you prepare.

What is the best way to cook a tagine: oven or fire?

Originally, in North African countries, tagines were traditionally cooked on a brazier, a method that allowed for slow and even cooking. Today, manufacturers are designing tagines with cast iron bases that can be used on all heat sources, including gas, electric, and even the oven. This offers great flexibility for those looking to prepare tasty dishes.

The tagine dish is easy to make, as it does not require regular monitoring. Simply place all your ingredients in a layered manner according to their cooking needs. Then, close the lid and leave it closed until the end of cooking to allow for perfect stewing, with optimal heat circulation.

For optimal operation of the tagine dish , it is recommended to favor cooking over a fire. Indeed, the heat arrives from below and confronts the conical lid, which is colder, which promotes the phenomenon of condensation. This phenomenon is more effective than cooking in the oven, which homogenizes the temperature of the base and the lid, but does not allow the same intensity of condensation.

How to use a clay tagine dish for the first time?

To avoid accidentally cracking your beautiful terracotta tagine dish during the first use, there is a foolproof method to follow. One day before using it, soak the base of your tagine dish in cold water overnight. The same day, dry your tagine dish for the whole day. Once this day is over, your tagine dish will be perfectly ready to be used to prepare delicious meals.

Tip: To avoid taking any risks during the heating phase, consider using a heat diffuser, which guarantees perfect cooking over the entire base of your tagine dish .

How to clean a tagine dish, especially a terracotta one?

It is strongly advised not to put a terracotta tagine dish in the dishwasher. Simply wash it with a soft sponge, water and dishwashing liquid. If food is stuck on from overcooking, scrub your tagine dish with baking soda, an excellent natural cleaner. Avoid using abrasive pads as much as possible, as they could scratch the surface.

Some brands allow their cast iron or ceramic tagine dish to be cleaned in the dishwasher; however, it is always recommended to use gentle hand washing. Preferably clean with hot water and a sponge, WITHOUT detergent. If residue remains stuck, soak the base of the tagine in warm water to make cleaning easier.

After cleaning, let the tagine air dry completely. Do not store it until it is completely dry, in order to preserve the quality of your tagine dish and ensure optimal use during your next culinary preparations.