Lamb Chops With Eggplant Caponata Recipes

CUMIN AND HONEY SCENTED LOIN LAMB CHOPS WITH EGGPLANT

Steps:

• In a medium bowl, combine the mustard, canola oil, honey, cumin, and chili powder. In a rectangular pan, arrange the chops so they are in one layer, pour the marinade over the chops, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate. Allow the meat to marinate at least one hour and up to 6 hours, turning the meat over at least once.
• EGGPLANT: In a large bowl or rectangular glass dish, drizzle the eggplant slices with extra virgin olive oil and sprinkle with the cumin and herbes de Provence. Season with salt and pepper.
• When ready to grill, prepare a charcoal or wood fire and allow it to burn down to ashes, or preheat a broiler if cooking indoors. Place the eggplant rounds on the grill and cook 1 to 2 minutes on each side, until slightly charred and tender. Remove from the grill and reseason with salt and pepper. (This may also be done on the stovetop, with a Teflon-coated grill pan.)
• Season the lamb chops with salt and pepper and place on the grill. Grill chops for 4 to 5 minutes on each side or until medium rare. (This may also be done in the broiler.)
• To serve, place the eggplant slices on a large platter, overlapping in an oval. Place the lamb chops over the eggplant. To serve on individual plates, place 2 slices of eggplant on each plate and top with two lamb chops.
• Serve with your favorite grain salad, glazed carrots, haricots verts, or sliced tomatoes.

EGGPLANT CAPONATA

Steps:

• Peel and dice the eggplants, peel and slice the onion, peel and slice the garlic, slice the celery.
• In a large bowl, toss the eggplant with the salt. Transfer the eggplant to a colander to drain for 2 hours. In order to facilitate the draining, top the eggplant with a heavy weight, such as a dinner plate topped with full cans.
• Heat 3 tablespoons of the olive oil over medium heat in a large sauté pan. Add the onion and sauté until translucent, 4 to 5 minutes. Add the garlic and celery and sauté for 5 minutes more, or until the garlic softens but does not brown. Add the anchovies and cook for 1 minute.
• Add the tomato paste and stir to thoroughly combine. Cook for 2 minutes, or until the paste turns a deep red, almost brown, and starts to stick to the pan. Add the vinegar and sugar and stir until the mixture thickens, 3 to 4 minutes. Turn off the heat.
• In another large sauté pan, heat the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil over high heat until smoking. Add the eggplant and carefully toss it in the oil, letting it sear before stirring. Turn the heat down to medium and cook for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the eggplant is translucent and soft.
• Transfer the eggplant to the caponata mixture and cook over low heat for 3 minutes, until the flavors combine. Add the capers and their brine and stir to incorporate.
• Serve warm or at room temperature accompanied by toast points or crostini.