Lamb Cutlets With Honey Apricots And Tarragon Recipes

MOROCCAN LAMB TAGINE WITH HONEY AND APRICOTS

Steps:

• Cut lamb into 1 1/2-inch cubes and place in a medium-sized bowl. Season the lamb with turmeric, ginger and 1/2 teaspoon salt.
• Heat a tagine or Dutch oven over high heat. Add 1 tablespoon of the vegetable oil and half of the seasoned lamb. Cook the lamb until browned on all sides, 2 to 3 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, remove the lamb from the pan and set aside. Repeat with remaining oil and lamb.
• Return the seared lamb to the pan and add the diced onions. Cook, stirring to get the browned bits off the bottom of the pan, for 3 to 4 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute. Add the chicken broth, saffron, and cilantro bundle and bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium-low and cook, covered, for 1 1/2 hours, or until the meat is tender.
• Pour 1 cup of boiling water over the apricots and raisins and let sit for 20 minutes. Strain and set the fruit aside.
• Using a slotted spoon, remove the meat, place it on a clean plate, and keep warm. Bring the remaining liquid in the pan to a simmer. Add the sliced onions, apricots, raisins, honey, cinnamon, ground pepper, and 3/4 teaspoon salt. Return the liquid to a simmer and cook for 6 to 8 minutes, or until mixture is slightly thickened. Add the cooked lamb back into the sauce and cook to heat through, about 2 minutes. Garnish with fresh cilantro sprigs. Serve with Moroccan Vegetable Couscous and Moroccan Yogurt with Preserved Lemon Dip.
• Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.
• Toss the red pepper halves and onion quarters with 2 tablespoons of the olive oil in a medium bowl. Arrange pepper and onion, cut sides down, on a small baking sheet, drizzling any remaining olive oil onto the baking sheet as well. Roast for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the skin is browned and bubbly. Peel, seed, and dice the red bell pepper and dice the onion. Set aside.
• Rinse the couscous in a fine-meshed strainer under cold running water until completely soaked. Drain and place in a medium bowl. Allow couscous to stand and swell for 5 minutes.
• Arrange a vegetable steamer or other steamer insert with small holes in a large stockpot with water, making sure the water doesn't touch the bottom of the steamer. Bring the water to a boil and add the couscous to the vegetable steamer. Cover tightly and steam for 30 to 40 minutes, or until tender and fluffy. Remove from the steamer, drizzle with 2 tablespoons of olive oil and fluff with a fork. Cover to keep warm and set aside.
• Heat the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large saute pan over medium-high heat. Add the carrots and cauliflower, and cook until lightly brown and softened, about 7 minutes. Add the garlic, zucchini, tomatoes and juices, garbanzo beans, chopped red onion and bell pepper, cumin, turmeric, cinnamon and salt and pepper. Bring mixture to a boil, cover, and reduce heat to medium. Cook until vegetables are tender, about 7 to 10 minutes. Adjust the seasonings with the salt and pepper. Remove from the heat, stir in the parsley, and cover to keep warm.
• In a small skillet heat the butter over medium heat. When foamy, add the almonds and cook until toasted, about 2 minutes. Remove from the heat and set aside.
• Arrange the couscous on a large serving platter and top with the vegetable mixture, tossing gently. Sprinkle toasted almonds over the top and serve immediately.
• Put the yogurt in a cheesecloth lined strainer over a bowl. Cover and refrigerate overnight to drain.
• Put the drained yogurt in a medium bowl and stir in the cucumber, mint, and lemon. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.

TARRAGON-MARINATED LAMB CHOPS WITH PINEAPPLE PECAN SALSA

Steps:

• Salsa: Makes 2 - 2 1/2 cups.
• Combine the pineapple, onion, vinegar, olive oil and herbs in a bowl and season with salt and pepper.
• Just before serving, fold in the toasted pecans.
• May be refrigerated (without the pecans), covered for 1 day.
• Serve at room temperature.
• Lamb chops:.
• Combine olive oil, tarragon and garlic in a large shallow baking dish.
• Add the lamb chops and turn to coat very well.
• Refrigerate, covered for about 2 - 4 hours.
• Preheat your grill to medium high.
• Remove the chops from the marinade, shaking off excess. Discard the used marinade.
• Season the chops on both sides with salt and pepper.
• Grill the lamb chops until medium doneness, about 3-4 minutes per side.
• Place on a serving platter and serve the pineapple pecan salsa alongside.

FILLETS OF LAMB WITH TARRAGON

Steps:

• Cut each lamb fillet crosswise into 4 equal portions.
• Place the pieces, one at a time and cut side down, on a sheet of plastic wrap or wax paper. Cover with another sheet of plastic wrap or wax paper. Pound lightly to flatten each piece.
• Sprinkle the pieces on both sides with salt and pepper.
• Beat the egg with the water and pour the mixture into a flat dish with raised edges.
• Dip the pieces of meat in flour on both sides. Shake off excess.
• Dip the pieces in the egg mixture, coating them well. Combine the bread crumbs and cheese and dip the pieces in the mixture to coat on both sides. Pat lightly to make the crumbs adhere.
• Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a nonstick skillet and add as many pieces as the skillet will hold. This may have to be done in two steps, depending on the size of the pieces. Cook two minutes on one side and turn. Turn and cook two minutes on the second side. Continue cooking, adding a little more oil as necessary until all the pieces are cooked. Transfer the pieces to a serving dish as they are cooked.
• Pour off the fat from the skillet. Wipe out the skillet and add the butter. Heat the butter until melted and add the tarragon. Cook about 4 seconds, shaking the skillet. Pour the tarragon butter over the meat and serve.