Lebanese Lamb Marinade Recipes

LEBANESE LAMB MARINADE

Steps:

• Add all the ingredients to a pestle & mortar or food processor - or use a stick blender to blend into a puree.
• Place your meat (around 2-4 lb) into a plastic bag and then pour in the marinade. Leave for as long as you can in the fridge (4 hours minimum but 24-hrs is best).
• When you're ready, remove the meat from the fridge and let it come to room temperature. Then cook as you like.

LEBANESE LAMB CHOPS

Steps:

• Finely chop the parsley and add to large bowl
• Add the regular olive oil, black and white pepper, lemon juice, sumac, salt and dried oregano.
• Transfer the lamb chops and rub the marinade in well, using your hands to massage.
• Marinade for 24 hours or for as long as possible
• When you are ready to cook, take the marinated lamb chops out of the fridge for at least half an hour and allow to reach room temperature
• Preheat the oven to 180C/350F
• Heat up a non stick or skillet for at least five minutes until you can feel the heat when you hover your hand over
• Sear the lamb chops for 2 minutes on each side until browned. Then transfer to the oven and bake 15 mins for medium rare, 30 mins for well done
• Sprinkle with sumac before serving

LEBANESE SPICED LAMB CHOPS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 550 degrees F.
• Place lamb chops in a 9 by 12-inch glass baking dish. Combine 1 tablespoon of salt, garlic and lemon juice. Pour over lamb chops. Combine 1 tablespoon of salt, pepper, paprika and "7 spices" to form a rub. Rub both sides of the lamb chops with this mixture.
• Place chops back into the baking dish and add 1 1/2 cups of water gently on the side of the dish so as to keep the spices on the lamb chops.
• Cover the dish with foil and seal well. This will ensure the chops stay juicy. Place in the oven at 550 degrees for 30 minutes. Then lower temperature to 400 degrees and bake for 1 1/2 hours.
• The recipes for this program, which were provided by contributors and guests who may not be professional chefs, have not been tested in the Food Network?s kitchens. Therefore, the Food Network cannot attest to the accuracy of any of the recipes.

LAMB STEAK WITH LEBANESE SPICES

Steps:

• Lay butterflied lamb leg on a cutting board and cut into 4 equal pieces, approximately 6 ounces each. Trim extraneous fat or gristle.
• Place lamb on a baking sheet and season on both sides with salt and the seven-spice powder. Sprinkle meat with sliced garlic and drizzle with 1 tablespoon olive oil. Rub with your hands to coat, massaging the spices into the lamb. Cover bowl with plastic wrap and let stand at room temperature for at least 1 hour, or wrap and refrigerate overnight.
• Put yogurt in a mixing bowl and season with salt. Stir in cucumbers, mint, grated garlic and crushed red pepper. Taste and adjust seasoning. Set aside.
• Put a large cast-iron skillet or stovetop grill pan over medium-high heat. When the pan is hot, add lamb steaks in one layer and cook for about 5 minutes, until nicely browned. Turn pieces and cook for 3 to 4 minutes more, until juices appear on surface, for medium-rare. Transfer lamb to a cutting board and let rest for about 10 minutes before slicing. (Alternatively, broil lamb or grill over coals.)
• While lamb is resting, put 2 tablespoons olive oil in a wide skillet over medium-high heat. When oil is hot, add chard and 1/4 cup water. Season lightly with salt. Cook for 1 to 2 minutes, until chard is just wilted. Remove chard from pan with a slotted spoon and transfer to a serving platter or individual plates.
• Carve lamb on the bias in 1/8-inch-thick slices, against the grain, and place next to the chard. Garnish with dill sprigs, if desired, and serve with a spoonful of cucumber-yogurt sauce. Pass the rest of the sauce separately.