Lebanese Spiced Lamb Chops 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.

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

LAMB CHOPS WITH LEBANESE GREEN BEANS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400°F
• Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender and light brown, about 5 minutes. Add 1 tablespoon fresh mint (or 1 teaspoon dried), cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon salt and pepper to taste; cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
• Add tomatoes and water and increase heat to high. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the tomatoes begin to break down, 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in green beans. Reduce heat to medium, cover and cook, stirring occasionally, until the green beans are tender, about 12 minutes.
• Meanwhile, sprinkle both sides of lamb chops with the remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Heat the remaining 1 teaspoon oil in a large ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat. Add the lamb chops and cook until browned on one side, about 2 minutes. Turn them over and transfer the pan to the oven.
• Roast until an instant-read thermometer inserted horizontally into a chop registers 140°F for medium-rare, 6 to 10 minutes, depending on thickness.
• Stir the remaining mint into the green bean mixture.
• Serve the lamb chops with the green beans and to complete your meal, add bulgur or rice pilaf.
• Serving size = 2 lamb chops and 1 cup green beans.