Lham Lahlou, also known as "Sweet Meat," is a beloved Algerian dish that blends savory and sweet flavors into a delightful culinary experience. This traditional North African dish, often prepared for special occasions and festivities, reflects Algeria's rich cultural heritage, influenced by Arab, Berber, and French cuisines. Lham Lahlou features tender pieces of lamb or beef stewed with fragrant spices and sweetened with a syrup made from sugar, honey, orange blossom water, and rose water. Garnished with toasted almonds and sesame seeds, it is typically served with couscous or bread. This dish not only tantalizes the taste buds but also provides nutritional benefits from the protein-rich meat and the antioxidant properties of the spices used. Through its preparation and sharing, Lham Lahlou embodies the warmth and tradition of Algerian hospitality.

Ingredients:

For the Meat:

• 2 pounds of lamb or beef stew meat, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 large onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• Salt to taste
• 2 tablespoons honey

For the Sweet Sauce:

• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 1 cup water
• 1 teaspoon orange blossom water
• 1/2 teaspoon rose water

For Garnish:

• Slivered almonds, toasted
• Sesame seeds, toasted

Instructions:

1- Start by preparing the meat. In a large, heavy-bottomed pot, heat the vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Add the chopped onions and sauté until they become translucent.

2- Add the minced garlic and the meat pieces to the pot. Brown the meat on all sides, ensuring it's evenly seared.

3- Add the ground cinnamon, ginger, cloves, nutmeg, black pepper, and a pinch of salt to the meat. Stir well to coat the meat with these fragrant spices.

4- Reduce the heat to low and let the meat simmer for about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.

5- In a separate saucepan, prepare the sweet sauce. Combine the sugar and water and heat over medium heat. Stir continuously until the sugar completely dissolves. This will create a syrupy consistency.

6- Once the sugar has dissolved, add the orange blossom water and rose water to the syrup. These floral flavors will infuse the sauce with a distinct Algerian taste.

7- Pour the sweet sauce over the meat in the pot. Stir to ensure the meat is well-coated with the sauce.

8- Cover the pot and let the meat simmer on low heat for 1.5 to 2 hours, or until it becomes tender and the sauce thickens.

9- About 30 minutes before the dish is done, add the honey to the meat and sauce. This will give the dish its characteristic sweetness and depth of flavor.

10- While the meat is simmering, you can toast the slivered almonds and sesame seeds in a dry pan until they become lightly golden. These will be used for garnish.

11- Once the meat is tender and the sauce has thickened to your liking, remove it from the heat.

12- To serve, place the sweet meat in a serving dish and garnish it with the toasted almonds and sesame seeds.

Lham Lahlou is traditionally served with couscous, which makes for a perfect combination, but it can also be enjoyed with bread or on its own. This delightful Algerian sweet meat dish is a celebration of flavor, blending the richness of spices with the sweetness of the sauce, and it's sure to be a hit at your table. Enjoy!

Nutritional Values

Here are approximate nutritional values for the main ingredients in the Algerian Sweet Meat (Lham Lahlou) recipe, based on common serving sizes:

1. Lamb or Beef Stew Meat (2 pounds):

  - Calories: Approximately 3000 calories

  - Carbohydrates: 0 grams

  - Protein: About 200 grams

  - Fat: About 240 grams

  - Sodium: Depends on the amount of salt used

  - Cholesterol: Approximately 600 mg

Benefits: Rich source of protein, essential vitamins, and minerals.

2. Vegetable Oil (2 tablespoons):

  - Calories: About 240 calories

  - Carbohydrates: 0 grams

  - Protein: 0 grams

  - Fat: About 28 grams

  - Sodium: 0 mg

  - Cholesterol: 0 mg

Benefits: Provides healthy fats, vitamin E.

3. Onion (1 large, finely chopped):

  - Calories: About 60 calories

  - Carbohydrates: About 15 grams

  - Protein: About 1 gram

  - Fat: 0 grams

  - Sodium: 5 mg

  - Cholesterol: 0 mg

Benefits: High in fiber, vitamin C, and antioxidants.

4. Garlic (2 cloves, minced):

  - Calories: About 10 calories

  - Carbohydrates: About 2 grams

  - Protein: 0.5 grams

  - Fat: 0 grams

  - Sodium: 1 mg

  - Cholesterol: 0 mg

Benefits: Known for immune-boosting properties.

5. Ground Cinnamon (1/2 teaspoon):

  - Calories: About 3 calories

  - Carbohydrates: About 1 gram

  - Protein: 0 grams

  - Fat: 0 grams

  - Sodium: 0 mg

  - Cholesterol: 0 mg

Benefits: Contains antioxidants, may have anti-inflammatory properties.

6. Ground Ginger (1/2 teaspoon):

  - Calories: About 3 calories

  - Carbohydrates: About 1 gram

  - Protein: 0 grams

  - Fat: 0 grams

  - Sodium: 0 mg

  - Cholesterol: 0 mg

Benefits: Anti-nausea, anti-inflammatory properties.

7. Ground Cloves (1/4 teaspoon):

  - Calories: About 2 calories

  - Carbohydrates: 0 grams

  - Protein: 0 grams

  - Fat: 0 grams

  - Sodium: 0 mg

  - Cholesterol: 0 mg

Benefits: Contains vitamins and minerals.

8. Ground Nutmeg (1/4 teaspoon):

  - Calories: About 2 calories

  - Carbohydrates: 0 grams

  - Protein: 0 grams

  - Fat: 0 grams

  - Sodium: 0 mg

  - Cholesterol: 0 mg

Benefits: Contains antioxidants.

9. Black Pepper (1/4 teaspoon):

  - Calories: About 2 calories

  - Carbohydrates: 0 grams

  - Protein: 0 grams

  - Fat: 0 grams

  - Sodium: 0 mg

  - Cholesterol: 0 mg

Benefits: May improve digestion.

10. Salt (to taste):

  - Calories: Varies based on usage

  - Carbohydrates: Varies based on usage

  - Protein: Varies based on usage

  - Fat: Varies based on usage

  - Sodium: Varies based on usage

  - Cholesterol: Varies based on usage

Benefits: Adds flavor, but excessive intake may contribute to sodium intake.

11. Honey (2 tablespoons):

  - Calories: About 120 calories

  - Carbohydrates: About 32 grams

  - Protein: 0.1 grams

  - Fat: 0 grams

  - Sodium: 2 mg

  - Cholesterol: 0 mg

Benefits: Natural sweetener with antioxidants.

For the Sweet Sauce:

  - Granulated Sugar (2 cups):

   - Calories: About 1600 calories

   - Carbohydrates: About 400 grams

   - Protein: 0 grams

   - Fat: 0 grams

   - Sodium: 0 mg

   - Cholesterol: 0 mg

Benefits: Provides energy, but high in added sugars.

  - Water (1 cup):

   - No significant calories, carbs, protein, or fat.

  - Orange Blossom Water (1 teaspoon):

   - No significant calories, carbs, protein, or fat.

   - Nutritional Benefits: Adds fragrance and flavor.

  - Rose Water (1/2 teaspoon):

   - No significant calories, carbs, protein, or fat.

Benefits: Adds a delicate floral aroma.

For Garnish:

  - Slivered Almonds, Toasted:

   - Calories: About 80 calories (per ounce)

   - Carbohydrates: About 3 grams

   - Protein: About 3 grams

   - Fat: About 7 grams

   - Sodium: 0 mg

   - Cholesterol: 0 mg

Benefits: Good source of healthy fats, vitamin E.

  - Toasted Sesame Seeds:

   - Calories: About 52 calories (per tablespoon)

   - Carbohydrates: About 2 grams

   - Protein: About 2 grams

   - Fat: About 4 grams

   - Sodium: 0 mg

   - Cholesterol: 0 mg

Benefits: Contains healthy fats, vitamins, and minerals.

Please note that these values are approximate and can vary based on factors such as the specific cut of meat, the brand of ingredients used, and cooking methods. Additionally, the nutritional values for the entire dish will depend on the serving size and the proportions of the individual ingredients used in the recipe.