Harissa Lamb With Labneh Chickpeas Recipes

HARISSA LAMB WITH LABNEH & CHICKPEAS

Steps:

• The night before, make the labneh. Put a sieve over a large bowl and line with muslin or a J-cloth. Mix the yogurt with 1/4 tsp salt, spoon into the sieve and put in the fridge to strain. Massage the harissa into the lamb, cover and chill overnight.
• Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Toss the cauliflower and chickpeas in a large roasting tin with the oil, cumin seeds, preserved lemon and seasoning. Season the lamb and nestle into the roasting tin. Roast for 20 mins for pink (or 25 mins if you prefer your meat a little more well done), then remove the lamb to rest. Continue cooking the other ingredients for 15 mins until the cauliflower is beginning to char.
• Meanwhile, bring the yogurt out of the fridge - it should have thickened to a spreadable consistency and taste slightly soured. Remove from the muslin and discard the drained liquid. Any leftover labneh can be kept in an airtight container in the fridge for up to five days.
• Carve the lamb into thin slices. Spread a good dollop of labneh onto each plate and top with the lamb and the chickpea mixture. Scatter over the mint and spring onions, and drizzle over a little oil to serve.

SLOW-COOKED HARISSA LAMB

Steps:

• If you're making the harissa, tip the dried chillies into a heatproof bowl and pour over just enough boiled water from the kettle to cover. Cover the bowl and leave to cool. Once cool enough to handle, drain the chillies, reserving the water. Remove any stalks and pat dry with kitchen paper. Tip the chillies into a food processor with the garlic, 1 tsp salt, the olive oil, spices and vinegar, and blitz to a purée. If needed, add a little of the reserved water to loosen. Will keep, chilled, for up to a month.
• Make 15 cuts, about 3-5cm long, all over the lamb. Reserve 1 tbsp of the harissa paste, then rub the rest all over the lamb and into the cuts. Scatter the onions into a large roasting tin and sit the lamb on top. Leave at room temperature for 1 hr, or cover and chill overnight.
• Heat the oven to 160C/140C fan/gas 2. Roast the lamb for 4-5 hrs until the meat is fork-tender. Lift the lamb out onto a large board or serving plate. If the tin is flameproof, pour in the stock; if not, tip the contents of the tin into a saucepan first. Bring to the boil, scrape up any browned bits using a wooden spoon, and cook until the liquid is reduced by about a third - it should be a thick, rich onion gravy. Stir in the reserved harissa and the chopped coriander. Serve the lamb with the onion gravy.

SPICY LAMB WITH CHICKPEAS

Steps:

• Rinse the lamb and pat dry with kitchen paper. Tip into a large pan and add tomatoes. Half fill the tomato can with water and add to the pan with the harissa paste and a good sprinkling of salt and pepper.
• Bring the liquid to the boil, then reduce the heat, cover and simmer for 1-11⁄4 hours, until the lamb is tender. Rinse the chickpeas and add them to the pan, then simmer for a further 5 minutes.
• Taste and add more seasoning if necessary. Roughly chop the coriander, then scatter over the dish. Serve with couscous or rice.

LAMB WITH SPICY CHICKPEAS

Steps:

• Heat grill to high. Season the lamb, then grill for 5 mins each side until browned. Meanwhile, heat the oil in a pan, add the onion, then fry for 2 mins.
• Stir in the cauliflower, cumin and harissa paste, then cook for 1 min more. Add 200ml water, season well, then bring to the boil. Cover, cook for 5 mins until the cauliflower is just tender, then stir in the chickpeas and cook for 2 mins more. Stir in the parsley and orange juice, then serve with the lamb.