ISO a Tagine

[Lowren710]

Hello -

I would like to get my fiance a tagine for Christmas and wanted ideas on where to go to get one - the more traditional the better. I would like to be able to include maybe a recipe book and spices. I would order one online, but we are leaving on the 22nd and I don't want it sitting on our front porch for a week. Anywhere withing an hour of Boston is fine. Thanks!

[Lowren710]

Thanks for all of your tips and suggestions! I went to the Syrian Grocery after work - called first to make sure they were open. The gentleman was extremely helpful and I bought a tagine, as well as preserved lemons, the spice mix, harissa and several other tasty items. That store is really interesting. I went to Formaggio next store and bought some chorizo. All in all, a very successful trip and I never would have known about it without your help.

[Mr Bigglesworth]

Great! Please let us know what you end up cooking with the new tagine!

[litchick]

They may not be super traditional, but for anyone interested, TJMaxx has recently had small tagines (single diner sized?). They're glazed ceramic, and come in different colors. I recall that they seemed like a good deal, but I don't recall the price.

[BostonZest]

I'll second Syrian Grocery and I adore Arabesque by Claudia Roden. You learn so much from her and as Reneémarie said, the recipes work.

[renéemarie]

As to the cookbook, may I recommend Arabesque by Claudia Roden? It is actually divided into three sections, for Moroccan, Lebanese, and Turkish cuisine, but it has several tagine recipes, and everything I have made from has been just spectacular.

[chowfamily]

Cuisinart has tangines at the Wrentham Outlet. They have Moroccan cookbooks as well.

I have a more traditional painted one, but am afraid to use it for fear of breakage, and would love to experiment with the Cuisinart first.

[ZoeZ]

Just ordered one from Sur La Table for my brother in law. They have a wide range but I ordered what I consider to be the more authentic at $24.95 because its pottery, like a casserole. Love mine because it came with a receipe book (the greatest thing is to throw in all the dead fruit with the meat and it makes unbelievable sauce.

[Lowren710]

I wanted to buy the Tagine Gift Set from Sur La Table, but the speedy shipping was too expensive. I called the store at the Chestnut Hill Mall but they are out!

[Wursthof]

I saw them at Sur la Table in Chestnut Hill today.

[smtucker]

Porter Square Shopping Plaza. Go to TAGS and select the tangine, then head next door to the Porter Square Bookstore and buy the cookbook. If you have some time, grab a coffee at the bookstore and review the books before purchasing. [Red Line: Porter Square stop.]

For spices, I would consider Christina's in Inman Square or Penzey's in Arlington. Whole Foods would also have the basics if that is more convenient.

[Mr Bigglesworth]

I bought mine in the south end at the store next to Formaggio's... They have solid brown and painted ones and sell a few cookbooks as well.

[MC Slim JB]

That shop is the Syrian Grocery Importing Company, one of the last vestiges of the old South End. Hours are a little irregular, though listed as Tue - Sat, 11:30am - 6:30pm. Also a good place for Middle Eastern groceries (including preserved lemons and fresh figs) and some prepared foods (like fresh spinach pies).