Vegetable Tagine

<p><!-- tml-version="2" --></p> <p>Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In large Dutch oven, heat oil over medium heat. Add shallots, garlic, ginger, celery and cinnamon stick and cook, stirring often, until shallots and celery begin to soften, about 5 minutes. Add coriander, cumin, paprika, salt, pepper and cayenne. Cook, stirring constantly, until spices are fragrant, about 1 minute. Stir in tomatoes, carrot, green beans, squash or sweet potato, cauliflower and fennel. Add enough vegetable stock or water to cover vegetables. Stir in saffron.</p> <p>Cover and bake until vegetables are tender, 40 to 45 minutes. About 5 minutes before stew is done, stir in chickpeas, olives and prunes. Stir in parsley just before serving.</p> <p>Note: Type of tomatoes used will determine amount of stock or water needed to cook vegetables. Crushed tomatoes will require adding about 1 cup water to cook. Diced tomatoes may not require as much water. Stovetop cooking may require slightly more water. The finished stew should be somewhat dry, not soupy, and vegetables should be tender and shapely, not soggy.</p>